Great news for residents and visitors enjoying Belfast's vibrant nightlife! Translink's late-night bus and train services proved to be a huge hit over the festive season, with an incredible surge in passenger numbers. Around 30,000 journeys were made on late-night services, marking a significant 70% increase compared to last year.
This impressive uptake not only shows how much people value reliable late-night travel but also underscores the vital role public transport plays in boosting Belfast's evening economy. By offering safe, convenient, and sustainable options, these services make it easier for everyone to enjoy what our city has to offer.
Translink worked closely with the Department for Infrastructure and various city stakeholders to ensure these services supported Belfast's lively atmosphere while prioritising safety and environmental considerations. Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, expressed his satisfaction: “Our bus and train services were incredibly popular, with passenger numbers significantly higher than last year. The additional late-night bus services, part of a year-long pilot scheme, delivered strong results, with over 7,000 journeys contributing greatly to the overall rise during the busy festive period.”
Mr. Conway also highlighted the collaborative success, stating, “This year’s success provides an excellent foundation to build upon. Working together, public transport has energised the city’s nightlife and offered a greener, safer way to travel. This demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation, unlocking economic, social, and environmental benefits for communities across Northern Ireland.”
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins welcomed the strong support for late-night transport. She commented, “It’s very encouraging to see the backing for these services, which confirms the need and my commitment to safe and sustainable travel. The benefits are far-reaching, and the boost to the night-time economy is certainly welcome. We hope people will continue to use public transport throughout 2026 to strengthen the case for it as a preferred travel choice.”
Good news continues for 2026, as the year-long bus pilot scheme for late-night services will operate every Friday and Saturday night. Timetabled late-night rail services will also continue as normal on Friday and Saturday nights.
To plan your late-night journeys and find full service details, visit www.translink.co.uk/latenightservices.