‘Delight’ bus services moving to Belfast’s Grand Central Station

‘Delight’ bus services moving to Belfast’s Grand Central Station

11 June 2025

PASSENGERS and politicians have welcomed confirmation that Newcastle, Downpatrick and Ballynahinch bus services are moving to Northern Ireland’s new multi-million pound transport hub.

Translink has announced that bus services to Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch will be departing from Belfast Grand Central Station from July 1 coinciding with the start of the summer timetable.

The organisation said it is pleased that Goldliner and Ulsterbus services to Newcastle, Downpatrick and Ballynahinch, as well as Carryduff, will depart from the new station from the start of next month.

But passengers can still choose to board in Adelaide Street as it will be the second outbound stop.

Translink’s acting general manager, Philip Woods, said the move offers customers greater convenience, access to modern facilities and onward bus and train connections across Northern Ireland, cross-border and airports.

He said 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,” he said.

“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,” he said.

Translink has also confirmed that it will also operate a special 237a direct service to Newcastle which will travel to Ballynahinch using the M1 bus 

lanes, offering customers a faster and more direct service during the evening peak.

Mr Woods said 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.

He said it makes ticket purchase quick, easy and convenient, while supporting the organisation’s drive towards a more efficient, sustainable public transport network.

South Down MLAs Cathy Mason and Colin McGrath have welcomed the Translink announcement.

Mrs Mason described it as a “really welcome development” for public transport users across South Down.

“Passengers can now avail of the modern and comfortable facilities on offer in Grand Central Station, as well as the onward travel connections, rail services, and links to Connolly Station in Dublin,” she added.

Mr McGrath said he is “absolutely delighted” that services are moving to the new transport hub, ensuring that key destinations like Downpatrick and Newcastle are fully connected.

Mournes councillor, Laura Devlin, said the inclusion of the local services in the published timetables is particularly welcome and means people will have clear, early information to plan their journeys for day trips, work, or leisure throughout the summer and beyond.