Bringing further transformation of public transport, enhancing local and international connectivity, the new station is a game changer for the whole of Northern Ireland, set to inspire people to use more sustainable travel for a better connected, cleaner and healthier region for everyone.
Over the coming weeks there will be a number of changes. These are being carefully planned:
- To facilitate completion of all the essential commissioning and testing;
- To allow services to bed in;
- To give the public time to get familiar with the new station
- To facilitate the ongoing public realm works.
Passengers and parents of pupils returning to school after the summer break are urged to plan their journey in advance, pre buy their ticket and allow extra time for their journey particularly travelling through the Belfast area.
Station Facilities
You can learn more about the facilities available at Belfast Grand Central Station at the link below.
Our Partners
Translink is working in partnership with a range of organisations to advance the transformation of transport and help encourage more sustainable travel helping NI reach its climate goals.
Grand Connection
A new Grand Connection video series has launched on Translink social media that takes you on a behind the scenes journey to showcase the people and the ‘Grand Expertise’ at work.
Learn more about the different project parts that need to come together to deliver this world class integrated station, so we are ready to give you a Grand Welcome in September.
What Passengers Can Expect
- Fully inclusive for all, this impressive facility will offer an enhanced user experience for up to 20 million customer journeys annually.
- There will be double the number of rail platforms from 4 to 8 and 26 bus stands compared with 16 increasing available capacity.
- Cross Border Enterprise services will relocate here with an hourly timetable planned for autumn bringing more passengers into the heart of the city.
- With a clear focus on active travel, streets adjoining the station will give more space to pedestrians and cyclists with parking for more than 200 bikes and extensive public realm works underway.
- Outside will be a new exciting public realm space, Saltwater Square, with a strong emphasis on arts and culture for everyone to enjoy.
School Services
For more information on school travel during this period visit our school services page or use our school services route finder.
Public Realm Enhancement Programme and Utility Works
Public Realm Works surrounding the new station are ongoing and will continue through 2025 to significantly upgrade the streets and enhance pedestrian safety making it easier and more accessible for all.
Grosvenor Road / Glengall Street / Great Victoria Street
Phase one of works to improve public realm on Grosvenor Road, Glengall Street and Great Victoria Street are substantially complete.
Future street works after the opening of the new Station will be notified in due course.
Temporary traffic signals – Durham Street and Glengall Street
To facilitate safe crossing for pedestrians to and from the new station, two temporary traffic signals have been installed on Durham Street and Glengall Street.
This new temporary traffic signal system commenced operation on Saturday 7th September and will remain in place until Durham Street is closed (date still to be confirmed).
Grand Central Station FAQs
For more information, you can read our Belfast Grand Central Station FAQs at the link below.
Park and Ride Services
Translink is encouraging people to consider the use of Park and Ride sites across NI – there are around 60 sites across NI with approximately 10,000 spaces offering convenience and flexibility with no parking hassles.
In addition, dedicated high frequency services operate from major park and ride sites including Sprucefield, Cairnshill, Black’s Road and Ballymartin.
A dedicated campaign to promote these sites is continuing with variable message signs in key areas to promote strategic locations.
Contactless Payment
Contactless payments were recently launched on all Ulsterbus and Goldliner services across Northern Ireland enabling faster boarding and an enhanced customer experience. This now means passengers can choose contactless payments on all bus and train journeys across the network enhancing integration, convenience and payment flexibility.
Other digital ticket options are also being heavily promoted as we prepare for the opening of Grand Central Station including the mLink mobile app, Smartcards, online ticketing, and Ticket Vending Machines. While cash will still be accepted, our aim is to get more passengers to prepay to speed up journeys and enhance convenience.
The Europa Buscentre History
A bus station has been located on the site of the Europa Buscentre since 1962, when the Ulster Transport Authority removed platform 5 at Great Victoria Street Railway station to make way for Belfast’s first joint bus and rail terminus.