14/11/2025
Late-Night Bus Pilot To Boost Belfast's Night-Time Economy
Translink is set to significantly enhance public transport connectivity with the return of its late-night bus and train services, which this year will initiate a year-long bus pilot scheme supported by cross-Executive funding.
The extended services will begin on Friday, 28th November 2025, operating every Friday and Saturday night to support seasonal celebrations, build Belfast's vibrant night-time economy, and encourage safer, more sustainable travel choices.
Key Service Headlines:
Metro Services: Operating from midnight until 2 am every Friday and Saturday as part of the new year-long pilot scheme.
Ulsterbus: Later departing services from Belfast to towns and cities across Northern Ireland will also be included in the year-long pilot.
Rail Services: Additional capacity across all lines will be provided on Friday and Saturday nights for the Christmas period only.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill welcomed the initiative, highlighting that it ensures people can return home safely after work, shopping, or socialising and that the cross-Executive funding reflects a determination to boost the "thriving night-time economy".
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly echoed this, stating the pilot will make it easier for people to travel home and is hugely important in supporting a "safer, more connected city for everyone."
Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins, expressed her support for the year-long initiative, stating that sustainable and safer ways to travel are at the heart of her ambition for public transport growth. Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway thanked the NI Executive and city partners for helping to deliver the pilot, which offers a "greener, safer way to travel."
Passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys using the Translink planner to familiarise themselves with the new routes and schedules.
Full details are also available on the Translink website at www.translink.co.uk/latenightservices
The extended services will begin on Friday, 28th November 2025, operating every Friday and Saturday night to support seasonal celebrations, build Belfast's vibrant night-time economy, and encourage safer, more sustainable travel choices.
Key Service Headlines:
Metro Services: Operating from midnight until 2 am every Friday and Saturday as part of the new year-long pilot scheme.
Ulsterbus: Later departing services from Belfast to towns and cities across Northern Ireland will also be included in the year-long pilot.
Rail Services: Additional capacity across all lines will be provided on Friday and Saturday nights for the Christmas period only.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly echoed this, stating the pilot will make it easier for people to travel home and is hugely important in supporting a "safer, more connected city for everyone."
Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins, expressed her support for the year-long initiative, stating that sustainable and safer ways to travel are at the heart of her ambition for public transport growth. Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway thanked the NI Executive and city partners for helping to deliver the pilot, which offers a "greener, safer way to travel."
Passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys using the Translink planner to familiarise themselves with the new routes and schedules.
Full details are also available on the Translink website at www.translink.co.uk/latenightservices
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.