Following a successful roll out of the first stage, Phase Two of the Belfast Rapid Transit scheme will begin this year and includes new park and ride and active travel connections.
In an announcement by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, the expanded Glider service will soon run to north and south sides of the city. Routes already serve areas to the east and west.
Eventually, the full ‘G2’ expansion will connect Queen’s University and City Hospital. Services will be provided by releasing existing vehicles from their current schedules as part of a trial. Bus priority measures on the southern route and in the city centre will also be introduced, alongside a park and ride site at O’Neill Road.
Bankmore Link, which provides a key link to the Belgast Cycle Network, will also be designed and constructed, improving active travel routes between the new Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bride and Grand Central Station.
‘The Belfast Rapid Transit Glider service has been a huge success and has helped transform and modernise public transport services in the east and west of the city,’ said Kimmins. ‘BRT2 will provide this innovative service to the north and south of the city, bringing the benefits of the Glider service to communities living along this route.’
‘The Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2 project is the further development of this hugely successful scheme which will see the Glider service extended to the north and south of the city,’ added Cllr Mick Murrary, Lord Mayor of Belfast. ‘I am delighted that with funding of £35million from the Belfast Region City Deal, along with an additional £13m announced by the Minister, the Department for Infrastructure can make significant early progress in anticipation of delivery of the entire scheme in the coming years.’
Last year, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority unveiled its own glider transport vehicles. The solution delivers significantly reduced emissions and increased passenger capacity compared with traditional buses.
Image credit: Department for Infrastructure
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