METRO CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENTS

We have plans to continue to enhance our Metro bus services in Belfast and intend to operate a fully Zero Emission fleet in the city by 2030.

This work is already underway, with over 100 zero emission buses - 40% of the Metro fleet – due to be in passenger service in the next few weeks. Along with this significant shift in our fleet, we are also investing in our infrastructure on various Metro corridors

These plans include the introduction of high-quality bus shelters at each stop along the Shankill Road/Woodvale Road section of the Metro 11 corridor. Offering a more modern, waiting facility, alongside real-time passenger information, they will enhance the overall customer experience. In a first for Belfast, the shelters will also have the potential for innovative ‘living roofs’ which will help to promote biodiversity in an urban setting, enhance air quality and provide a focus on the environment.

Some services on the corridor will also benefit from modern, high-specification, Zero Emission battery-electric fleet. The new vehicles will be fitted with Audio-Visual ‘next stop’ announcements, on-board CCTV, comfortable leatherette seats, double doors for faster alighting, Wi-Fi and smart device charging points. Alongside this, we are also planning a programme of phased improvements to our infrastructure across Belfast, including on the Metro 3 corridor (Holywood Road); Metro 5 corridor (Castlereagh Road); and Metro 6 corridor (Cregagh Road), with these routes also benefitting from the new model bus shelters as well as Zero Emission fleet – more detail will be available on these specific projects in due course.