Belfast’s Grand Central Station has opened its doors following four years of construction.
The new state-of-the-art public transport hub has been hailed a “game changer” and marks a significant step forward in Northern Ireland’s public transport system.
It is the largest integrated transport hub on the island of Ireland and replaces both Great Victoria Street Station and the Europa Bus Centre.
Trains have yet to start running from the new hub, but it is expected the first services will start at Grand Central next month.
Work had been ongoing on the Grosvenor Road hub since 2020.
Grand Central is expected to see around 20 million customer journeys each year as the main transport gateway to Belfast.
The final bus left the old Europa Bus Centre late last Saturday night, before it closed its doors for the final time.
Where is the location for the new transport hub?
Grand Central Station is situated at Weavers Cross, close to Belfast city centre.
Passengers can enter the new station from the Grosvenor Road or an entrance on Durham Street, which is located close to Glengall Street, where the old Europa Bus Centre is situated.
Translink has said: “You can access the station via the main Durham Street entrance that will bring you directly into the main concourse area.
“Or you can use the doors at the side of the station on Grosvenor Road.”
The company has released a virtual guide to help passengers navigate their way to the station and around it on their first visit.
More: Video shows how to navigate the new Belfast Grand Central Station
“On entering keep walking straight ahead until you arrive at the main concourse, which offers spacious, comfortable and accessible modern facilities, all designed with your convenience in mind,” it said.
“If you need assistance, our friendly staff at the central information desk can help.”
How much did Grand Central Station cost to build?
The facility cost around £340 million to build.
Early predictions had put the cost of delivering the project at £200 million, but that was later increased to almost £300 million.
However, inflationary pressures caused by the Ukraine war and issues related to building work beginning during the Covid-19 pandemic saw costs rise by a further £40 million.
Stormont infrastructure minister John O’Dowd said earlier this year: “The latest cost estimate is £340 million, which, as the member will be aware, is £45 million higher.
“The vast majority of that cost increase is due to the extraordinary inflation that has impacted on all major capital projects.”
John Glass, director of infrastructure and projects at Translink, said the hub had been in the planning before construction for more than a decade.
He said it had faced challenges including increases in the cost of materials and the coronavirus pandemic.
“We started just before Covid, so we had that to deal with which brought with it price increases and material shortages, and then other international events such as the war in Ukraine, and prices were further hiked and materials in short supply,” he said.
“But five years ago, we said we’d open in autumn 2024, and we will open in autumn 2024.”
Around 70% of the companies which worked on the project were from Northern Ireland.
What are Belfast Grand Central Station’s opening hours?
Belfast Grand Central Station has begun a phased opening with just bus services operating at the facility.
It’s opening hours are:
- Monday: 5.00 - 23.45
- Tuesday: 5.00 - 23.45
- Wednesday: 5.00 - 23.45
- Thursday: 5.00 - 23.45
- Friday: 5.00 - 23.45
- Saturday: 5.00 - 23.45
- Sunday: 5.00 - 23.45
Translink had said that “some facilities will not be available when the station opens, but will be added later” with work continuing.
It added: “All passengers are encouraged to check their timetable or plan their journey before they travel while services move to Grand Central Station”.
Is there parking at the Grand Central Station?
Translink said parking is available at a nearby car park on the Grosvenor Road.
“Approaching from Grosvenor Road, there are also 575 car parking spaces available at the nearby Value Car Parks on Grosvenor Road.”
It also says that passengers using the cross-border bus service - Enterprise and X1 and X2 - can avail of parking.
“Approaching from Gt Victoria Street / Sandy Row use Go Park Great Northern Car Park – 24 hour operation,” the company said.
“A reduced rate of £12 per 24 hours is available.
“With 530 spaces simply present your train / coach ticket at the car park kiosk.”
When will trains start running from Belfast Grand Central Station?
There is still no date for the start of rail services, though it is expected they will bein in October.
Translink chief executive Chris Conway told The Irish News that an exact date has still not been finalised, with extra time needed.
“We’re working very closely with the safety authority obviously safety is our number one priority and we hope to be able to announce a date for that soon,” he said.
How do I pay?
Tickets can be bought online or at one of the ticket vending machines in the station.
Translink says that a new feature of the station is contactless ticketing with the transport hub set to deal with around 20 million customer journeys every year.
It said the “quickest way to travel is to pre-purchase your ticket on out mLink mobile ticketing app or have your Translink smartcard topped up with travel”.
It added: “You can also get your ticket from one of the new easy to use ticket vending machines where staff are on hand to help.
“Ticket in hand, simply check the passenger information screens for departure information. You can then make your way to the bus stand.”
What shops, bars and restaurants are at Grand Central Station?
While waiting on transport, passengers will be able to sit back and relax with a coffee or grab a sandwich for their journey with a number of retail units set to open.
Pret A Manger is among outlets available at the hub.
There will also be a phased opening of other retailers, including, Starbucks, Marks and Spencer and a BrewDog bar.
There are also hopes that local businesses will avail of the opportunity for pop-up stores.
Speaking about the retail units, station manager Louise Doyle, who has been involved in building projects such as the new Wembley stadium in London and the upgrade of Windsor Park stadium, said: “There’s a phased opening of retail, everything should be open by about Christmas...we have some really good brands.
“We also will have throughout the station, once we are fully open, we will opportunities for local vendors for pop-ups in the station as well.”
What has Translink said about the new station?
Translink has said the new station will revolutionise public transport in Northern Ireland.
It said the hub is the largest infrastructure project in Northern Ireland and one of the largest in the UK.
Chris Conway said the Belfast Grand Central Station will “really change the face of public transport”.
“It will bring enhanced frequency and connectivity right across Northern Ireland and give us the capability to do that both on our bus and rail network, but also as well increased connectivity between Belfast and Dublin and with the new hourly Enterprise service coming in in the autumn as well and the ability to connect via bus as well between Belfast and Dublin,” he said.
“So it really will connect the Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland.”
