Bus

About bus services in Northern Ireland

• Metro is the name for buses in Belfast
• Glider is the name of a rapid bus service between east and west Belfast
• Foyle Metro is the name for buses in Derry/Londonderry
• Ulsterbus is the name for bus services outside Belfast
• Goldline is the name for express coach services across Northern Ireland (Goldline branded coaches may also be used on Ulsterbus services)

Routes and timetables

Feedback and complaints

The Consumer Council 

Other bus services

There are a small number of bus services in Northern Ireland provided by operators other than Translink. These include:

• Cross border services operated by Bus Éireann
• Services between Belfast and Dublin operated by Aircoach and Dublin Coach
• Services between Derry and Belfast airports operated by Airporter Ltd
• A commuter coach service between Newry and Belfast operated by Rooney Coaches
• A service between Northern Ireland and Glasgow run by Hannon Coach

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

Under the DDA disabled people have rights when using bus services. Rights under the DDA mean:

• Transport providers should not treat you less favourably than other passengers because of your disability.
• Transport providers must also make changes called reasonable adjustments to help you use their services more easily.
• Transport providers must make their stations accessible to you.
• Transport providers must buy buses that meet accessibility standards.
• Transport providers must make information about their services accessible to you.

The Equality Commission

Using your rights under the DDA can be a challenge. The Equality Commission is the body responsible for promoting and enforcing the DDA in Northern Ireland and can give you advice about your rights when travelling by bus.

Find out more from  the Equality Commission website.

Bus stations

Improvements have been made at all bus stations to provide accessible facilities including:

• Step-free access.
• Accessible toilets.
• Accessible ticket desks.

There are Departure screens at all stations but only limited audio announcements at bus station.

Opening hours of stations vary with full facilities generally open from 8am to 5pm weekdays. Opening times of some facilities may be more limited on Saturdays and facilities are closed all day on Sundays at many bus stations.

Changing Places facilities

There are no bus stations with Changing Places facilities.

Translink Station & Facilities Guide

Translink has produced a guide to their stations and facilities. The guide is currently under review.

Buses in Belfast

In Belfast bus services are called Metro and Glider. All buses have:

• Low-floor entrances and with ramped access.
• Dedicated spaces for one wheelchair user.
• Four other priority seats for disabled people.
• Audio-visual next stop announcements.

Buses in Derry/Londonderry & local town services

In Derry/Londonderry bus services are called Foyle Metro. In other towns services are called Ulsterbus Town Services. All Foyle Metro and Ulsterbus Town Service buses have:

• Low-floor entrances with ramped access.
• Dedicated space for one wheelchair user
• Four priority seats for disabled people.
• Foyle Metro services all have audio-visual next stop announcements.
• Local town services don’t have audio-visual next stop announcements.

Ulsterbus/Goldline buses and coaches

Services between our towns and cities are called Ulsterbus or Goldline. These services use a mix of vehicles including low-floor buses and coaches as well as coaches with stepped access. Low-floor buses and coaches have the same features listed above. Stepped coaches have:

• Four or five steps at the entrance.
• A passenger lift for wheelchair users and others.
• Limited or no priority seats for disabled people.
• These buses and  coaches don’t currently have audio-visual next stop announcements.

Seating has recently been removed from coaches to ensure there is a dedicated wheelchair user space. You no longer have to give 24 hour notices to use services operated by coaches. There are, however, some bus stops where the passenger lift cannot be deployed. You should check the bus stops you want to get on and off from before you travel here.

Translink Scooter/Wheelchair Policy

The current design of buses and coaches means there are limitations on the size of wheelchairs and mobility scooters that can be accommodated.

Translink has a policy around travel for wheelchair and scooter users. Learn more about Translink’s Scooter and Wheelchair Policy.

Other bus services

There are a small number of bus services delivered by other operators. In general these services currently use coaches which have poor levels of accessibility. It is best to check whether the service is accessible with the operator before travelling.

Accessibility in the Republic of Ireland

If you are travelling by bus in the Republic of Ireland you can find out more about bus and station accessibility from the Bus Éireann website.

Assistance at stations

Bus stations are generally only staffed during opening hours. At smaller stations staff are not always visible and you may have to ring a bell at the ticket desk to get their attention. Staff should provide you with assistance to use services and facilities if you require this.

Assistance on buses & coaches

Bus drivers are limited in the assistance that they can provide but are required by law to do the following:

• Lower the bus and deploy the ramp/lift to help you get on-board.
• Clear any obstructions out of your way.
• Give you time to get to your seat before moving off.
• If you need to use a priority seat including the priority space for wheelchair users they should ask anyone sitting there to move.
• Tell you when you have reached your stop if you ask them to do this.

Translink Access Guide

For more information  about assistance you should receive when using bus and coach services use the Translink Access Guide. This Guide is currently under review.

Discounted fares

Many older people and disabled people are eligible for discounted travel on all Translink bus services.

For more information about the discounts available visit the NI Direct website.

JAM (Just a Minute) Card

Translink supports the JAM Card. This a card or mobile phone App that you can show to the driver if you need more time or little extra support from the bus driver.

For more information about the JAM Card visit the Now Group website.