The Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2024-25 statistical report has been published today
Date published:
The Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2024-25 statistical report has been published today.
This report presents statistics on public transport operated by Translink in Northern Ireland.
This is an accredited official statistics report produced annually by Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB). It brings together information from Translink on public transport journeys, vehicles and staff.
The publication is available on the DfI website at: Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2024-25 | Department for Infrastructure
Key Points
Public Transport Journeys
- In 2024-25, there were 81.1 million journeys on public transport; this was an increase of 2.9 million or 3.6% since 2023-24 (78.2 million), but a decrease of 2.7% from 2019-20 (83.4 million).
- During 2024-25, there were 67.8 million bus passenger journeys, an increase of 3.4 million or 5.2% when compared with 2023-24 (64.4 million) but 0.5 million (0.7%) lower than in 2019-20 (68.3 million).
- There were 13.3 million rail passenger journeys in 2024-25, a decrease of 0.5 million or 3.8% when compared with 2023-24 (13.8 million) and a decrease of 12% from 2019-20 (15.1 million).
Public Transport Vehicles
At the end of March 2025:
- there were 1,420 buses in operation comprising, 1,083 Ulsterbuses, 303 Metro buses and 34 Gliders which were, on average, 9.9 years, 7.3 years, and 6.5 years old respectively.
- 15.0% of buses were zero emission vehicles, 2.4% were diesel hybrid and the remaining 82.6% were diesel vehicles.
- there were 164 rail carriages in operation, with an average age of 19 years.
Public Transport Staff
The full-time equivalent (FTE) number of staff employed by Translink in 2024-25 was 4,331, an increase of 4.2% on the number of staff in 2023-24 (4,156); 3,062 of those staff were in connection with buses (70.7%) and 1,269 with rail (29.3%).
Notes to editors:
Background to Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2024-25 statistical report
- This is an accredited 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.
- The statistics are based on information and data sourced from Translink’s administrative systems.
- Previously published as Official Statistics, the report received Accredited Official Statistics status in July 2025 following an independent assessment by the Office for Statistics Regulation.
- 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:
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
- Follow the Department for Infrastructure on social media: X - @deptinfraFacebook - @DepartmentforInfrastructure; LinkedIn - @DfILinkedI; Instagram - @departmentforinfrastructur; Bluesky - @infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
- For more information relating to this publication, including alternative formats, please contact: Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch, 1st Floor, James House, 2-4 Cromac Avenue, Gasworks, Belfast, BT2 7JA. Telephone: (028) 9054 0099; E-mail: ASRB@nisra.gov.ukWebsite: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/topics/dfi-statistics-and-research