Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2022-23 statistical report published

The Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2022-23 statistical report has been published today.

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 an official statistics report on public transport operated by Translink and it is produced annually by Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB). 

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

Key Points:

Public Transport Journeys

• In 2022-23, there were 73.5 million journeys on public transport; this was an increase of 14.2 million or 23.9% since 2021-22, but a decrease of 11.9% from 2019-20 (83.4 million).
• During 2022-23, there were, 60.6 million bus passenger journeys, an increase of 19.9% when compared with 2021-22 (50.5 million), but a decrease of 11.3% from 2019-20 (68.3 million journeys).
• There were 12.9 million rail passenger journeys in 2022-23, an increase of 47.4% when compared with 2021-22 (8.8 million) but a decrease of 14.7% from 2019-20 (15.1 million).
• In March 2023, the number of bus passenger journeys reached it’s highest monthly level since the beginning of the pandemic with 6.7 million journeys. Monthly rail passenger journeys reached a post-pandemic peak of 1.4 million in December 2022.

Public Transport Vehicles

• At the end of March 2023, there were 1,058 Ulsterbuses, 281 Metro buses and 34 Gliders in operation which were, on average, 8.9 years, 6.3 years and 4.5 years old respectively.
• At the end of March 2023, there were 164 rail carriages in operation, with an average age of 17 years.

Public Transport Staff

• The average number of staff employed by Translink in 2022-23 was 4,165, 73.8% of those in relation to buses (3,074) and 26.2% of those in relation to rail (1,091). The full-time equivalent number of staff was 4,000.

Notes to editors: 

1. This is an official statistics report on public transport operated by Translink and it is produced annually by Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB). It brings together information from Translink on public transport journeys, vehicles and staff.
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. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
5. 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.
6. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure and on LinkedIn at DfILinkedIn.
7. 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

Share this page