Translink has unveiled details of its new ‘Nightmovers’ services to help late night shoppers, theatre guests and festive party goers make the most of their Friday and Saturday nights out in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry this Christmas.
Commencing tomorrow, Friday 26 November, additional late-night bus and train services will make it easy for more people to choose public transport as their first choice for Christmas travel with a range of departures from Belfast on Metro, Derry~Londonderry on Foyle Metro, Goldliner, Urby, and Train services right across the network.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said:
“As people across the north prepare for the busy Christmas period, I am keen to do what I can to support local businesses and provide shoppers and those enjoying hospitality settings with additional public transport services.
“We will therefore be operating extra late-night bus, coach and train services in the run up to Christmas. Midnight departures will be available on a number of routes from both Belfast and Derry across bus and rail services.
“Our Park and Ride sites in the Belfast area will also be open later for late night shopping which will give people easier access to the city centre and help to reduce congestion on our roads.
“I would encourage people to use public transport where possible and please be mindful that we are still dealing with the pandemic so unless you have an exemption you must wear a face covering on all services.”
Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive added:
“After a challenging year, we know many people want to enjoy the great retail, hospitality and entertainment on offer. We want to help connect people at this busy time of year by making it easy to use the bus and train when you’re enjoying the festive spirit.
“Our services are the perfect solution to car free, hassle free, greener journeys and our new Nightmovers services mean no-one has to cut their evening short.
“We look forward to welcoming even more passengers on board this Christmas, helping reduce congestion around our cities and most importantly getting people home safely,” Chris concluded.
Park and Ride sites will also open later for late night shopping, served by passing services, these offer free parking and provide a good value and another hassle-free way of travelling.
To keep staff and passengers safe, face coverings should be worn whilst in stations and on-board services, unless exempt.
For full details on Translink’s Nightmover services and best value fares visit:
Metro
Late night services will operate up to 11.00pm every Friday and Saturday aligned to the existing timetables and on Friday and Saturday nights only from Friday 26th November until Saturday 18th December there will be special departures at midnight. The routes for the midnight departure are:
901 - Antrim Road, Doagh Road and Shore Road
902 - Upper Newtownards Road and Holywood Road
903 - Cregagh Road and Castlereagh Road
904 - Ormeau Road, Sainfield Road, Newton Park and Cairnshill
905 - Malone Road and Lisburn Road
906 - Falls Road, Andersonstown Road, Stewartstown Road and Glen Road
907 - Shankill Road, Ballygomartin Road, Crumlin Road and Oldpark Road
Foyle Metro
Late night departure times are aligned to existing last departures at 21:30 and on Friday and Saturday nights only from Friday 26th November until Saturday 18th December the following services will operate.
Cityside Route 1 (Depart 22:00, 23:00, 00:00) - Foyle Street, Creggan Estate, Hazelbank, Ballymagroarty, Earhart, Culmore Road
Cityside Route 2 (Depart 22:00, 23:00, 00:00) - Foyle Street, Carnhill, Slievemore, Shantallow, Culmore.
Waterside Route Route 1 - (Depart 22:00, 23:00, 00:00) - Foyle Street, Limavady Road, Crescent Link, Irish Street, Newbuildings
Waterside Route Route 2 - (Depart 22:00, 23:00, 00:00) - Foyle Street, Currynerin, Ivy Mead, Strathfoyle.
Goldiner and Urby
Late night Goldline services will operate every Friday and Saturday night aligned to the existing timetables and on Friday and Saturday nights only midnight services will operate from Saturday 26th November until Saturday 18th December, from Belfast Europa Buscentre on the following routes.
212 – Derry~Londonderry
215 – Downpatrick covering Carryduff set down only
237 - Newcastle via Ballynahinch covering Carryduff set down only
238 - Newry via Banbridge
253/ 256 – Ballyclare/ Larne
261 – Dungannon
5/7 - Newtownards
NI Railways
NI Railways will operate late night services aligned to the existing timetable and midnight departures from Great Victoria Street Station on Friday and Saturday nights only from Saturday 26th November until Saturday 18th December. There will also be enhanced capacity trains and additional services earlier in the evening.
To: Bangor
Departs: 00:32
To: Larne
Departs: 00:15
To: Portadown (first stop Lisburn)
Departs: 00:10
To: Coleraine
Departs: 00:10
Derry/Londonderry to Coleraine:
In addition to the services departing Great Victoria Street Station Translink will operate a 23:30 hrs departure from Derry/Londonderry to Coleraine. There will be a 00:15 departure From Coleraine to Derry (connecting with the 22.40hrs from Belfast Great Victoria Street).
Park and Ride
Operating Thursday and Friday evenings from 26th November until 23rd December, with the last service departing 30 minutes after the shops close at 21:30 and at 22:30 on Friday 26th November. Saturday services will operate a minimum 30-minute frequency throughout the day with the last service departing 30 minutes after shops closure time.
Sites include:
Cairnshill, Dundonald, Ballymartin, and Blacks Road, Northside and Eastside