New £350m Grand Central Station opening in Belfast

Belfast’s new £350 million Grand Central Station is set to revolutionize public transport in Northern Ireland and beyond. The state-of-the-art hub will cater to both bus and rail services, with the first cross-border bus to Dublin departing this weekend.

Despite delays in implementing cross-border train services due to ongoing testing, the project remains on track. The additional £40 million budget increase was attributed to inflationary pressures caused by external factors.

While the station boasts top-notch facilities, a dispute over bilingual signage lingers, with Irish language activists pressing for more inclusive signage throughout the station.

Translink Chief Executive Chris Conway hails the station as a “game-changer” for public transport, linking towns and cities across Northern Ireland and beyond. Plans for an hourly rail service between Belfast and Dublin, starting later this year and supported by €25m from the Irish Government, promise enhanced connectivity.

Grand Central Station stands as the largest integrated public transport hub on the island, a testament to collaboration from local Northern Irish companies and beyond. The station’s significance in bridging transportation gaps is a promising step towards seamless connectivity.