Translink has revealed over ten thousand people travelled on the late-night bus and train services that operated in both Belfast and Derry during the festive period in December 2022.
The company provided a range of later departures for train and bus services right across the network with Foyle Metro also operating late night services in Derry on selected routes.
Welcoming this result, Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive said: “We have been pleased to work with a range of organisations to develop the package of additional Christmas services which have really helped to support the night-time economy.
“The numbers travelling were very encouraging with many telling us that having a reliable and safe bus or train home gave them the confidence and comfort to travel and enjoy a night out.
“We will continue to work with all stakeholders with an interest in developing and improving the night-time economy to secure funding for a financially sustainable late-night network providing safe, attractive and low-cost travel options for those who work at night and those who want to enjoy the great hospitality on offer.
“We welcome the strong public interest in the value of late-night public transport services, and we hope this support will help secure the funding to create better connected, more sustainable and economically vibrant towns and cities for everyone."
As a result of the success of the late-night services throughout the festive period, there have been calls for these services to be available throughout the year.
The late-night services provide vital connections to the night-time economy across the North.
Joel Neill, Operations Director, Hospitality Ulster said: “The return of the Translink Nightmovers was especially welcome as we resumed the first Christmas period in three years unblighted by the pandemic.”
“The value of these services cannot be overstated; they provide a vital link that allows people to go out and enjoy our vibrant hospitality offer in the knowledge that they have a safe and reliable route home. It also supports the thousands of jobs and businesses that contribute to the evening economy of our towns and cities.”
“In difficult financial times Translink have stepped up and provided this lifeline over the Christmas period and must be applauded. We must now work with all the stakeholders to establish these services as a permanent fixture throughout the year.”
Chris McCracken, MD, Linen Quarter Business Improvement District said, “Nightmovers helped support our hospitality offer during the busy festive season and its success shows there is significant demand for these safe and effective services.
"However, the night-time economy extends into many other areas, from late night culture & arts to shift workers going to and from their places of work. If we are to support this diverse evening economy, it is essential that major urban centres like Belfast and Derry are properly connected with late night public transport throughout the year. As a next step we would ask relevant Departments to consider a feasibility study that would help evaluate this in more detail."
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomed the news and echoed calls for services to be in place throughout the year.
Ms McLaughlin said the popularity of the services evidenced the need to support greater investment to ensure these services are a "permanent fixture."
It follows lobbying from the MLA on the need for investment in our public transport services. Ms. McLaughlin said: “I would like to commend the team at Translink for the extensive effort they have invested into ensuring that these additional late-night services could proceed over the festive period.
"They are essential to support our night-time economy during these busier periods and the usage of these services evidences the clear desire from people to take advantage of the hospitality offering and support the industry.
“However, I believe that such popular services cannot be confined to festive periods. I have heard from many people across the city about their desire for increased night-time services and a financially sustainable late-night network and believe we should build on the success of the Christmas period to ensure a year-round offering.
"I am aware that the financial position is currently very constrained for Translink and as such would welcome further investment into our public transport network in any new three-year budget, if and when an Assembly is restored, to ensure that our frontline public services can be maintained and improved.
“Our night-time economy will only achieve its potential once we ensure that people have safe, frequent and low-cost options for public transport and we will continue to campaign for this.”
