Late night bus and train services begin on Friday

An extended timetable of late night bus and rail services in Northern Ireland begins on Friday night and people are being urged to use them.

The one-year pilot scheme will see extra buses running on Friday and Saturday nights. Additional rail services have also been introduced for the festive season but will stop the weekend before Christmas.

Metro Services will leave departure points at midnight and 02:00 GMT.

Extra Ulsterbus services leaving Belfast for towns and cities across Northern Ireland will also be in operation, with various departure times between midnight and 01:15 GMT.

Rebecca, Jessica and Anna, who are 18, said they would consider using the service.

“Halloween was really bad because we couldn’t get a taxi home and a bus would be much more convenient and cheaper as well,” Jessica said.

Anna said: “I think it would be fine in bigger groups but just one person on their own, it would feel a wee bit unsafe but if you were out with a couple of friends and you were all going to the same place, it would be fine.”

Rebecca said she thinks it “will be fabulous”.

“My parents are fed up with picking me up at two o’clock in the morning, so I think it will be good.”

Anna also said her “mum is sick of giving me lifts, or trying to organise lifts home, or paying for taxis”.

She said she has struggled to get taxis home in the past.

“Especially on busy nights like Halloween, or when there’s any sort of uni celebrations, when there’s loads of people going out, then getting taxis home is really difficult and the last train is like 11 o’clock so trying to get a lift home is really difficult.”

All late night Ulsterbus services will depart from Belfast Grand Central Station.

The Metro services will operate on 11 main routes across the city, picking up at Metro bus stops along the route.

Translink has issued a detailed map and advice for passengers.

As for the question of cost, standard fares apply, including half-fare and full-fare concessionary passes.

It’s included in the all day mLink travel ticket which costs £4. There’s a £4 cap on contactless payment and no limits on journey numbers in one day.

Anyone hoping to travel is being asked to arrive in good time as the services are expected to be busy.

Translink has appealed for people to respect their staff and has said they will be working closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and its Safe Transport Team during the festive season to ensure everyone’s safety.

Staff will be on hand in Grand Central Station on Friday and Saturday evenings to ensure passengers are able to purchase tickets and provide assistance.

Last month, funding for the scheme which is supported by the Northern Ireland Executive was announced.

The late night services have been welcomed by those who work in the night time economy.

Damien McAdams, Operations Director for the Oh Yeah music centre in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter said he has noticed people leaving before shows are finished to get the bus home.

“Having a night bus service that goes beyond the traditional 11pm finish is brilliant for us and for customers, and something we’ve definitely heard demand for,” he added.

“It’s not just for customers – it’s also important for our staff.

“For them being able to have an affordable way home is really great.”

Ian Campbell, Director of Service Operations for Translink, said they are expecting and hoping that people will use the services.

And they have planned for high demand.

“We do have additional standby services available if required but bring it on – if there’s more demand, we will deal with it,” he said.

“Bus services will operate on Friday and Saturday nights and the exciting thing about that is is not just for Christmas, it will continue into next year for 12 months.

“That will enable us to support the night time economy and provide safe, sustainable transport home for those enjoying a night out in Belfast city centre.”

The full details and timetables can be found on the Translink website.