1000 more seats every week for the 218 Coleraine/Ballymena to Belfast Goldliner

Translink is increasing frequency and capacity on its popular 218 Goldliner coach service between Coleraine/Ballymena and Belfast - now operating every 30 minutes at key times in the morning and evening peaks, Monday to Friday - as well as on the 221 Goldliner service to Giants Causeway from Monday, 1^st July.

 Coleraine-based Translink Service Delivery Manager, Sam Todd, commented: “This timetable and capacity enhancement is to cater for increasing demand on our Goldliner 218 services to Belfast.  With around 1000 more seats available every week, this enhanced service increasing capacity at peak times offers even more sustainable public transport on this route helping create a cleaner, better environment for all.

 “To enable public realm works for the exciting new Belfast Grand Central Station in Belfast and to help keep services moving during these road works, the 218 services will relocate from Europa Buscentre to Laganside Bus Centre from 1^st July dropping off in the city centre at High Street and Laganside and picking up at Laganside Bus Centre and Bridge Street.

 “This service benefits from a bus lane on the M2 from the services into Nelson Street in Belfast and continuing into the city centre. We will also be operating 218a services during the morning peak, which will run express to Belfast from Dunsilly Park and Ride, speeding up journey times.

 “This intercity Goldliner service offers our customers a fast, comfortable and relaxing journey experience. With free Wi-Fi, in seat USB charging points and generous leg room, passengers enjoy more productive time on board to catch up on emails, social media, have a chat or just relax and have a snooze. Hopefully, more people will be encouraged to leave the car at home and avoid the stress of driving and traffic congestion.” 

 221 Belfast - Giant’s Causeway enhanced service

As well as the enhancements to the 218 service, there are additional services on the 221 Goldliner route from Belfast to the Giants Causeway for the summer months with an extra departure from Belfast’s Laganside Bus Station at 8.20am and from the Giants Causeway at 2.10pm. This means hourly services from Belfast from 8.20 to 10.20am, with returns operating at 2.10, 3.10 and 4.10pm.

 Passengers are urged to check before they travel and full timetables are available on the Translink website: www.translink.co.uk. Journey Planner or by phoning the Contact Centre on 02890 666630.