Translink has recorded more than 160,000 additional journeys during the opening days of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said today.
The minister visited Laganside bus centre with Translink’s new chief executive Gerard Carlin, meeting bus and train drivers and control centre staff involved in moving passengers into the city for events during the week.
Ms Kimmins said the extra journeys were recorded across the Translink network over the last three days compared with the equivalent period last year. She said the uplift was more than 40%.
The minister said public transport workers were helping commuters and visitors use buses, trains, the city centre accessible loop bus and late-night services. She thanked drivers, staff on the ground providing help to visitors unfamiliar with Belfast, and staff working behind the scenes.
Ms Kimmins said larger numbers were expected as the event moved towards its final days of competition and entertainment. She said her department had supported Belfast City Council’s traffic management plans ahead of the Fleadh and urged visitors to continue planning ahead and using public services.
The department said it had provided funding for additional late-night bus and train services on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. Three dedicated Park and Ride sites are operating at Eikon Exhibition Centre near the M1, Giant’s Park near the M2, and Belfast Harbour near the M3, with shuttle buses to the city centre.
The minister said pedestrianisation of large parts of the centre and visitor volumes meant some minor traffic and travel disruption was inevitable. She said Translink staff would continue to monitor demand and use available resources to support safe operations.