Press News
Newcastle, Downpatrick and Ballynahinch bus services move to Belfast Grand Central Station
6 June 2025
Translink has announced that bus services to Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch will be departing from Belfast Grand Central Station from Tuesday, 1st July, coinciding with the start of the Summer timetable.
Translink’s Acting General Manager - Bus Services, Phillip Woods commented on the move: “We are pleased that our Goldliner coach and Ulsterbus services to Newcastle, Downpatrick and Ballynahinch, as well as Carryduff, will depart from the new Belfast Grand Central Station from 1st July, offering customers greater convenience, access to the modern facilities and onward bus and train connections across Northern Ireland, cross-border, and airports services.
“Bus services moving to Belfast Grand Central Station include 215, 515 and 516 to Downpatrick, the 237 and 520 services to Newcastle and 652 buses to Ballynahinch via Cairnshill Park and Ride and Carryduff.
“This is all part of the managed transition to Belfast Grand Central Station, which is already delivering strong performance results and very positive user feedback, with a 96% customer satisfaction rating since it opened last Autumn.
“Passengers can still choose to board in Adelaide Street as it will be the second outbound stop.
“These services operating their journeys into Belfast will also revert to their previous city centre set down stops at Bedford Street before travelling on to Belfast Grand Central Station for the final stop.
“We will also operate a special 237a direct service to Newcastle which will travel to Ballynahinch using the M1 bus lanes, offering our customers a faster and more direct service during the evening peak, for greater choice and convenience”.
Phillip Woods added: “These service changes from 1st July will also involve Metro 8 relocating to its former stop at Donegall Square East from Howard Street. Metro 8 will continue to travel along Great Victoria Street and Wellington Place.”
Phillip concluded: “It is easy and quick to buy tickets for Translink services using contactless payments or the mLink mobile ticketing App which offers a range of pre-paid tickets and travel cards. It makes ticket purchase quick, easy and convenient, while supporting our drive towards a more efficient, sustainable public transport network”.
Passengers are advised to check their journey in advance on the Translink Journey Planner App, website or by phoning the Contact Centre on 02890 666630.