The Northern Ireland’s Minister of Infrastructure,John O’Dowd, has inaugurated the integrated Belfast Grand Central Station which now serves bus transport services. Set to be Ireland’s largest integrated transport hub, the new facility will advance the transformation of public transport with a step change in customer experience.
A date for the commencement of rail services will be confirmed once the rail safety authorisation process is complete. That important and necessary process is continuing and will be finalised as soon as possible to enable train services at the new station to get underway.
“We are excited to be opening this modern major transport interchange. With advanced customer features and integrated networks, it offers huge opportunity to grow public transport driving economic development across the region and play a major part in tacking the climate emergency. That means a better-connected future for people and communities for generations to come,” the CEO of Translink Group, Chris Conway, said.
Public Realm work to put a clear focus on allocation of road space to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport around the station will continue into 2025.
GBP 340 million (EUR 402.7 million) is the value of the new station and the construction works started in March 2022. Its opening is being implemented in phases.
“This is truly a new era for public transport here in Belfast and across the north and indeed the island of Ireland. This new flagship station is iconic as well as historic and it signals our intent in relation to our climate commitments and our focus on transport decarbonisation,” the minister said, adding that “the impressive facility has space to cater for up to 20million customer journeys per year.”
Currently 16 bus stands are operational and will increase to 26 and double the number of rail platforms from four to eight. The Belfast Grand Central Station will also provide more than 200 spaces for bicycles as the authorities are “focused on encouraging more active travel and providing passenger facilities and services that deliver an enhanced user experience,” the minister explained.
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