The infrastructure minister hopes to make an announcement on the extending Belfast’s Glider service to a north-south route before the end of the year.
John O’Dowd told the assembly on Tuesday that the next phase of the so-called Belfast Rapid Transit scheme would “provide more public transport infrastructure for the city and for those who wish to travel into the city and across the city”.
It is proposed to extend the service that currently runs from east to west Belfast to include a route from Glengormley to Carryduff.
It was originally expected that the new service would be operational from September 2027. However, in an update in August 2023, the Department for Infrastructure indicated the scheme could be operational from autumn 2028.
Mr O’Dowd said he hoped to be in a position to make an announcement on the new route before the end of the year.
“If it’s not before the end of this calendar year, it will be immediately after the end of this calendar year,” he told MLAs.
The minister, who in recent days has faced criticism about traffic congestion in Belfast, warned those highlighting transport problems that they were potentially damaging the city’s reputation during the festive season.
“Those who claim to have the interests of Belfast at heart would do well not to be broadcasting constantly that there’s traffic chaos in Belfast,” he said.
“There is traffic congestion in Belfast – last Thursday night was particularly difficult as a result of a traffic accidents on the M1 and M2, the weather conditions and failure of traffic lights at the Ormeau Road.
“So if people in this room have genuinely the interest of Belfast at heart, then let’s have a sensible, informed conversation about what’s going on in Belfast and ensuring that those people who want to travel to Belfast to enjoy the sights and sounds of the festive season feel confident in doing so.”
