Belfast Rapid Transit - Glider - Latest News

Public and Stakeholder Consultation

At the outset of the project a number of in-person public consultation events were planned to obtain feedback from the general public and to identify the needs of those who will be using BRT2. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions and Departmental guidance, in-person consultation was not considered practical nor feasible. As a result, consultations with the general public were delivered virtually using a range of media as follows:

• Consultation Website - this provided extensive information in relation to:
  • Ministerial Video introducing the consultation process
  • Key attributes of a Glider system
  • Updates on the progress to date in development of the BRT2 proposition
  • Detailed consideration of route options and the options assessment process
  • Next Steps for the project
  • Consultation Webinar
  • Consultation Online Survey
• Scheme Brochure which contained similar material to the website
• Public Consultation Feedback Form which contained the same questions as the online questionnaire
• Freephone line which enabled members of the public to:
  • Leave verbal feedback
  • Request a scheme brochure and feedback form
• Scheme email address – which enabled members of the public to:
  • Leave written feedback
  • Request a scheme brochure and feedback form

Consultation feedback responses were collected via the consultation website, by freephone, email and by post. Across the consultation period, a total of 1197 responses were received. The public consultation process showed that there is general overall support for the BRT2 project with most respondents confirming that it will support economic growth, integration and help to encourage a modal shift away from the private car.

• Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2 - Route Options Public Consultation

Route Selection

The selected route for Phase 2 of Belfast Rapid Transit (BRT2) will see the introduction of a G3 Glider service extending from a proposed Park and Ride facility on O’Neill Road in the north along the Antrim Road linking through the city centre via the proposed Bankmore Link, along the Ormeau Road and Saintfield Road to Cairnshill Park and Ride. The existing G2 service will also be extended to provide connections with Queens University and Belfast City Hospital.

Route Options Assessment

The route selection process included assessments to identify the route options capable of delivering a scheme which fulfils the following key objectives of BRT2:

› Provide a safe, efficient and high-quality public transport service;

› Support sustainable economic growth and regeneration;

› Provide equality through enhanced accessibility; and

› Support social inclusion and the integration of communities.

Initial assessment

The initial stage of the Route Options Assessment was to undertake a high-level assessment of a long list of route options. This allowed unpromising options to be discarded at an early stage. The assessment included a review of:

› how the route could contribute to meeting the project objectives and wider Government policies and strategies; and

› the key viability and acceptability criteria of each route, including how the route could accommodate the necessary BRT infrastructure.

Detailed assessment

A detailed assessment was then undertaken for the most promising route options. The key issues that were assessed in order to refine the viable route options were as follows:

› the suitability of the route to provide priority lanes for the BRT2 service;

› the potential positive impact of the route on public transport journey times and reliability;

› the accessibility of the route to key locations of employment, healthcare, leisure, commerce and regeneration;

› whether or not the route would provide value for money;

› the practical feasibility of implementing the route;

› whether the project would be within available funding if the route is selected;

› the commercial viability of the route; and

› the potential of the route to encourage more people to transfer from private car to public transport.

G3 North - Antrim Road

 

This route runs from the existing G1/G2 network at Belfast City Hall to Donegall Place - Royal Avenue - Donegall Street - Clifton Street - Carlisle Circus Roundabout - Antrim Road - New Park and Ride Facility at O’Neill Road.

From the City Centre, this option enhances access along Antrim Road, with extended and upgraded bus lanes and includes a new the proposed Park & Ride/Interchange location on O’Neill Road.

Along the Antrim Road, the scheme passes through a mix of low (outer sections) and high (inner sections) density residential areas. The required level of bus priority can be achieved within the existing highway boundary for the majority of route (high-level of existing bus lane provision), with only some sections of the route requiring new bus lanes. Antrim Road benefits from high levels of existing bus patronage serving an established population catchment. It is also designated as a Core Quality Bus Corridor in the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan. This route would enhance access to Mater Hospital, Crumlin Road visitor attraction, Belfast Castle, Belfast Zoo and a number of education facilities.

G3 South - Ormeau Road

 

This route runs from the existing G1/ G2 network at City Hall along Great Victoria Street - Bruce Street - Bankmore Link - Ormeau Road - Saintfield Road - Cairnshill Park and Ride.

From the City Centre, this route enhances access to/from Ormeau Road via a new bus-only connection on Bankmore Link. This link also provides dedicated cycle lanes which enhances onward connections to the proposed Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge. The route makes use of and extends existing bus lane provision along Great Victoria Street and connects to the new Belfast Transport Hub from Great Victoria Street by way of a short walk.

Along Ormeau Road, the route passes through mainly high-density residential areas. The required level of bus priority can be achieved within the existing highway boundary for the majority of the route (high-level of existing bus lane provision). Ormeau Road/Saintfield Road has strong public transport patronage and is designated as a Core Quality Bus Corridor in the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan. 

G2 Extension

 

This circulatory route runs from the existing G2 network at Howard Street - Great Victoria Street - Bruce Street - Dublin Road - University Road, then connects with the Lisburn Road via Elmwood Avenue and back to the City Centre via Lisburn Road and Great Victoria Street. This route forms an extension to the existing G2 service which extends to the Titanic Quarter via the City Centre network.

This route facilitates significant priority for BRT2 using the existing roads and will enhance accessibility to Queen’s University and Belfast City Hospital as well as serving the communities of Sandy Row, Donegall Pass, Botanic and Holylands. Elmwood Avenue is proposed to be converted to one-way operation in the direction of Lisburn Road with the existing on-street parking retained.

February 2025 - Confirmation of Decision to Proceed with Initial Funding - https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/statement-minister-kimmins-belfast-rapid-transit-2

On 25 February 2025, Minister Kimmins announced the decision to proceed with an initial phase of the project using £35m from the Belfast Region City Deal, supplemented by an additional £13m from departmental budgets. This early investment to £48m will allow the commencement of a phased delivery, extending the existing G2 service to link with Queens University and Belfast City Hospital and to deliver infrastructure works on the southern route as far as Park Road and on the northern route as far as Innisfayle Park. This funding will also enable the delivery of the proposed park and ride facility at O’Neill Road.

February 2026 – Outline Business Case Approved - https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/news/update-department-infrastructure-about-belfast-rapid-transport-2-project

The Outline Business Case for the project was approved in December 2025 with an estimated delivery cost of £124.5m.

May 2026 – Consultants Appointed to Deliver Design and Consultant Management Services for Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2 - https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/news/kimmins-confirms-appointment-consultants-support-delivery-brt2

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has confirmed the appointment of AtkinsRéalis to provide design and construction management services for the Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2 project.

Next Steps

Development of Selected Routes

Further investigations of road geometry, junction arrangements, Park & Ride and halt locations are to be undertaken in order to further inform design including ground investigations scheduled in Belfast city centre and at O’Neill Park and Ride in 2026. Officials will continue to engage stakeholders along the selected routes as the design process progresses.

Development of Service Operations

Further refinement of bus services relating to the selected route will now be undertaken. This task will be completed in conjunction with Translink. It will include the review of existing bus services along the network and consider the integration of remaining residual services and necessary new feeder services to support BRT2.

Frequently Asked Questions