https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgjd70nyz4po

Funding for a one-year pilot scheme extending hours for late night transport in Belfast has been confirmed by the Northern Ireland Executive.

The total estimated costs for the pilot are in the region of £650,000.

Last month, Belfast City Council had agreed to co-fund, alongside Stormont, a late night public transport pilot.

Translink welcomed the news which will see late-night bus services on Friday and Saturday evenings in Belfast, adding that it will "build on the success of previous Christmas late night service initiatives".
Enhanced connectivity

"Late-night public transport plays a vital role in enabling safe, sustainable travel and supporting the vibrancy of our night-time economy," Translink chief executive Chris Conway said.

He added that this will help to "explore the long-term potential for extended late night operations".

Further details on the one-year pilot are expected to be announced by Translink in the near future.

Translink said it "reflects a shared commitment to enhancing connectivity, supporting the night-time economy, and improving safety for those travelling in and out of the city at night".
'Major economic driver'

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald confirmed funding for the scheme on Thursday.

Kimmins said: "Late night public transport services are in high demand and encourage behavioural shift while supporting the night-time economy and improving safety as people return home in the evenings.

"Providing this service for a 12-month pilot will provide a more consistent and dependable service, which will help stimulate demand."

Archibald said she had agreed a joint funding approach to the scheme with the Department for Infrastructure.

She said she was "committed to supporting the development of a safe, thriving and diverse night-time economy" and "reliable, late night-transport is key to this".

"My department has collaborated with Tourism NI and the three Belfast Business Improvement Districts to commission research into the night-time economy in Belfast, Derry and Enniskillen," she added.

"The interim findings estimate up to £2.5m could be added to the value of Belfast's night-time economy by extending late-night public transport, far exceeding the cost to deliver the service."

Belfast City Council said it was "delighted" with the announcement.

It described the scheme as "a crucial step towards building a vibrant, accessible city", and said it would boost hospitality, tourism, and culture sectors.

"The service will be particularly valuable in making our city feel more welcoming and secure for everyone especially in the lead up to the festive season," a council spokesperson added.

Last month, Belfast's night tsar Michael Stewart said a weekend late night service all year round was his primary objective as he began his second term.

He had said the lack of late-night transport for Belfast's Culture Night was a "missed opportunity".

by TouchingCloth69

14 comments

  1. Used to be a Nightlink bus that left at like 1am from City Hall up to Newtownabbey

  2. Wonder if the drivers are up for it though? Amount of abuse they will get from drunken cunts will be shocking

  3. I remember the night buses maybe 15 years ago. Vomit all over the floors and almost always a fight. But, I’ll happily take that over the complete shit show of trying to get a taxi home.

    I don’t see any mention of when they plan to start it or the price they’re going to charge though. It was £3.50 from city centre to Dundonald back then when buses were normally maybe £1.50, so I’d expect it to be £7-10 which is still better than paying £20 on a taxi you had to wait an hour for

  4. >Last month, Belfast’s night tsar Michael Stewart said a weekend late night service all year round was his primary objective as he began his second term.

    This is the first I’ve heard his name since he was announced.

    I know it’s only a pilot, but hopefully this will be a success and lead to further late night services, like trains.

  6. Am I thick or does it say absolutely nowhere about a start date?

  8. Belfast people are too mental for late night buses.

    I remember the Night-line in the 90s.

    Sectarian singing, windows kicked out mid-journey, smoking, vomit and the last time I used it, I was trailed off and received a kicking.

    Good times!

  9. Smicks and scumbags will ruin this… and trust me, I want to be wrong. I would love to have late night public transport here. 

  10. Is it only going to be the metro service? Or will Ulsterbus be included in this? Mental that the last bus home to where I live (which is about 11mins from the city centre) is 8:50 on a Saturday night.

    EDIT: Meant Miles, not minutes.

  11. Hopefully it’s a good bit later so as to be useful against a taxi, and not just “it leaves at 11:45 now instead of 11:00”

  13. So drunken idiots and spides will put a stop to this

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