The Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2021-22 statistical report

The Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2021-22 statistical report has been published.

The Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2021-22 statistical report has been published.

This report presents statistics on public transport operated by Translink in Northern Ireland and it brings together information on public transport journeys, vehicles and staff.

This is a new official statistics report produced by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI).

The publication is available on the DfI website at: Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland

Key Points:

Public Transport Journeys

• In 2021-22, there were 59.3 million journeys on public transport; this was an increase of 33.6 million or 131% since 2020-21 when movement restrictions were in place due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The number of passenger journeys in 2021-22 was still much lower than in 2019-20 (83.4 million) with the advice and guidance around COVID-19 and working from home likely having an impact on public transport usage.
• During 2021-22, there were, 50.5 million bus passenger journeys, an increase of 126% when compared with 2020-21 (22.4 million), but a decrease of 26% from 2019-20 (68.3 million).
• There were 8.7 million rail passenger journeys in 2021-22, an increase of 164% when compared with 2020-21 (3.3 million) but a decrease of 42% from 2019-20 (15.1 million).
• In March 2022, the number of bus and rail passenger journeys reached their highest monthly levels since the beginning of the pandemic with 5.9 million and 1.03 million journeys respectively.

Public Transport Vehicles

• At the end of March 2022, there were 1,064 Ulsterbuses, 262 Metro buses and 34 Gliders in operation which were, on average, 9.4 years, 8.8 years and 3.6 years old respectively.
• At the end of March 2022, there were 143 rail carriages in operation, with an average age of 18 years.

Public Transport Staff

• The average number of staff employed by Translink in 2021-22 was 4,064, 74% of those in relation to buses (3,027) and 26% of those in relation to rail (1,037).

Notes to editors: 

1. This is a new official statistics report produced by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB) of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and it will be published on an annual basis.
2. The statistics are based on information and data sourced from Translink’s administrative systems.
3. The statistical report has been produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics, complying with the pillars of Trustworthiness, Quality and Value. You can find further information about the Code of Practice at: Statistics Authority
4. For more information relating to this publication, including alternative formats, please contact:

• Telephone: (028) 9054 0099
• Email: ASRB@nisra.gov.uk
• Website: Statistics and research

1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
2. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure
3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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