Rapid Transit
RAPID TRANSIT FOR BELFAST
Rapid Transit will bring a reliable and modern public transport service to Belfast and is expected to attract over 5.5 million passengers per year. This new dynamic transportation system will help link people to jobs, hospitals, schools and colleges. It will reflect Belfast as a growing metropolitan area, going forward into the 21st century.
Example of a Phileas vehicle - Eindhoven
The service will be designed to be customer friendly with real-time information, off-board ticketing, and level boarding access to vehicle services will be reliable, efficient, and high frequency and maximum priority in Rapid Transit bus lanes.
Example of a Wrightbus vehicle - Las Vegas
The type of bus-based rapid transit system planned for Belfast operates in cities throughout the world, including Las Vegas, Adelaide, Nantes and Amsterdam.
There are three routes planned in the pilot project stage linking between Belfast City Centre and the Titanic Quarter development, Dundonald in East Belfast and Glenmona in West Belfast. In time, the network may be extended beyond these pilot routes.
The preferred routes are identified within the Strategic Outline Case (SOC):
TITANIC QUARTER ROUTE
Titanic Quarter will be linked to Belfast City centre by Rapid Transit. The journey time is expected to be under 10 minutes and the route could carry over 2.5 million passengers in the future. This route will link into the Odyssey as well as the Titanic Signature Project, the new Belfast Metropolitan College, the Public Record Office and the Northern Ireland Science Park.
WEST BELFAST ROUTE
This route will connect Belfast City Centre with the Royal Victoria Hospital and West Belfast. It is expected to carry around 1 million passengers a year with 55% at rush hour coming from current car users. All the route options are currently being investigated to determine the best route alignment for West Belfast.
EAST BELFAST ROUTE
This route will link Belfast City Centre with Dundonald. It is expected to carry over 2 million passengers a year and it will attract over 20% of its rush hour passengers from current car users. All the route options are currently being investigated to determine the best route alignment for East Belfast.
