Issue 74 - Belfast BT4 • BT5 • BT16
Trains get Green Light at Belfast Grand Central Station
Translink has commenced rail services from Belfast Grand Central Station.
Pictured are Caroline McComb, Director of McComb’s Coach Travel; Judith Owens MBE, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast and local school pupil Zoe Kennedy.
TITANIC BELFAST ANNOUNCES EXTENDED SCHOOL TRANSPORT BURSARY Titanic Belfast has announced it will once again give schools in some of Northern Ireland’s most deprived areas the opportunity to apply for free transport to enable pupils to enjoy an educational visit in the 2024/25 academic year. Over the last year, the School Transport Bursary, which is funded through Titanic Belfast’s new Community Impact Fund, and in partnership with McComb’s Coach Travel, enabled 615 pupils from across 15
schools the chance to enjoy a visit to the world-leading visitor attraction. For the new academic year, Titanic Belfast has extended the programme across a 30-mile radius of Belfast giving even
more schools the opportunity to apply. Schools that meet the criteria - which includes over 50 per cent of the students in receipt of Free School Meals and living in Northern Ireland’s most deprived
areas, can apply by Sunday 22nd September, for visits to take place between November 2024 – March 2025.
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This sees the rail line between Belfast and Lisburn reopen for passenger services and Enterprise services will operate to/from Belfast Grand Central Station. A new rail timetable is in place and passengers will be encouraged to plan their trip using information on the website www.translink. co.uk or Journey Planner available. Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway said: “We know this will be good news for many of our rail customers, who need to use this main terminus station for Belfast. The start of rail at Grand Central Station will bring enhanced connectivity and integration of the wider public transport network with bus, coach and rail connections across the island.“The new train
station will also see automatic ticketing gates introduced and passengers can purchase tickets which they can scan at gates to speed up journeys and enhance convenience. “Passengers can buy their ticket from one of the rail ticket vending machines in the station, use the mLink mobile app or iLink Smartcard. You can also buy online and collect at the ticket vending machine”. Chris added: “The launch of an hourly Enterprise service between the island’s two capital cities is planned from Tuesday, 29th October.” Passengers are advised to check their journey in advance on the Translink website: www.translink. co.uk; Journey Planner, or by phoning the Contact Centre on 02890 666630.