Metro Bus Stop and Shelter Enhancement

As a vital public service, Translink is committed to delivering high quality sustainable public transport that is crucial for the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of Northern Ireland.

As part of a wider programme of phased improvements to Translink’s services across Belfast, we are planning upgrades along a number of Metro routes. This will include changes to the location of some bus stops delivering increased punctuality and efficiency, the introduction of new living roof bus shelters, real time passenger information and improved seating at bus stops along a number of Metro routes. This will enhance the overall customer experience for those using public transport.

In July 2024, we will begin rolling out upgrades along the Metro 11 corridor, centred on the Shankill Road and Woodvale Road route.

The Metro 11 route links the city centre and north Belfast via the Shankill and Woodvale Roads. This area is currently served by 30 stops, and 10 bus shelters.

When bus stops are too close together, passengers spend more time waiting on their bus than necessary. This project involves making the service more effective and efficient by removing bus stops that are too close together, while considering accessibility at each location. We are also doubling the number of shelters along the route and introducing new living roof shelters, real time passenger information and seating at 20 stops providing an improve customer experience.

These changes, which will see 8 stops removed, will help to improve the reliability and punctuality of the service provided by the Metro.

1. The changes to the bus stops will help to reduce the time that passengers spend waiting and improve reliability and punctuality along the Metro network. This will help to reduce the number of stops each bus makes on the route enabling more efficient journeys, while retaining high levels of accessibility for communities.
2. The bus shelter upgrades on the Shankill and Woodvale Roads will also bring a significant improvement in the customer experience with 20 new shelters along the route, including 10 stops that will have a shelter for the first time.
3. The shelters will offer a more modern, waiting facility, with real-time passenger information which will help to enhance the overall customer experience, with additional seating in shelters that had none previously.
4. The installation of ‘living roofs’ will help to promote biodiversity in an urban setting and enhance air quality, with the improved shelter design will enhance passenger experience. The living roofs will be the first of their kind in Northern Ireland and help create a more sustainable environment.

A ‘living roof’ is a specially designed bus shelter roof that is planted with flowers and other grasses. Its installation helps to promote biodiversity and create a more sustainable environment. Living roofs can help absorb rainwater and capture particulates from the air making the route a greener environment.

Planted with a mix of native wildflower and sedum species, they are specially selected by experts to aid and support bees and other pollinators.

Translink has engaged with key stakeholders and with the local community from the outset of the project and plan to hold a public information event in the coming weeks. This will allow passengers, local residents, businesses and anyone with an interest in the project to ask questions of the Translink team and learn about the benefits of the changes.

We will keep the community updated as this project progresses, letting people know our timescales and exactly where and when work will be undertaken. We are grateful for your support for our efforts to deliver a better Metro service for everyone, helping make public transport first choice for travel, for today and for tomorrow.

Work will get underway in July 2024 and last until September. To facilitate the works some footpaths may see disruption during the work. All works will be carried out between the hours of 9am – 5pm.  

We are proud to announce the launch of our Eco Heroes booklet, an exciting educational resource designed for schoolchildren aged 8-11. The booklet is a key component of our Bus Shelters Improvement Project community engagement.

The Eco Heroes booklet aims to engage young people with the importance of public transport and its role in promoting environmental sustainability.

Through interactive content and vibrant graphics, the booklet educates children on how using public transport can help fight climate change and contribute to a greener future.

In addition to the booklet, we are providing additional resources for teachers, including a suggested lesson plan, a climate animation, and a downloadable version of the booklet to enhance classroom engagement.

• Green Roofs primary school booklet
• Suggested lesson plan
• Primary teachers' PowerPoint

If you would like to get in touch with the project team directly, please call  028 9068 9096 and leave a message on the dedicated project phone line or email metroprojects@translink.co.uk and will respond to you swiftly.