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'Huge need' for bus lanes in city 'Huge need' for bus lanes in city
(about 3 hours later)
Translink has defended the opening of a new bus lane on one of Belfast's busiest roads after it caused massive tailbacks into the city on Monday.Translink has defended the opening of a new bus lane on one of Belfast's busiest roads after it caused massive tailbacks into the city on Monday.
Queues of traffic on the Lisburn Road stretched as far back as Finaghy when the bus lane opened for the first time.Queues of traffic on the Lisburn Road stretched as far back as Finaghy when the bus lane opened for the first time.
Many drivers even performed U-turns outside the King's Hall to try to seek out an alternative route. However, the congestion was not as bad on Tuesday.Many drivers even performed U-turns outside the King's Hall to try to seek out an alternative route. However, the congestion was not as bad on Tuesday.
Ciaran Rogan of Translink said there was a huge need for the bus lane.Ciaran Rogan of Translink said there was a huge need for the bus lane.
"The Lisburn Road would be one of our main corridors into Belfast. Between 20 - 30% of people on the main corridors travel by bus as opposed to car," he said."The Lisburn Road would be one of our main corridors into Belfast. Between 20 - 30% of people on the main corridors travel by bus as opposed to car," he said.
"But the advantage really is that it speeds up the buses, it reduces journey time, it makes the service far more attractive to those people in cars."But the advantage really is that it speeds up the buses, it reduces journey time, it makes the service far more attractive to those people in cars.
"We'll see a lot of people shifting to buses and those people who have to use the car in the morning will see a reduced level of traffic. It should be a win-win for everybody.""We'll see a lot of people shifting to buses and those people who have to use the car in the morning will see a reduced level of traffic. It should be a win-win for everybody."
The new 1.7km inbound lane gives priority to buses between Lislea Drive and Edinburgh Street and between Tate's Avenue Avenue and Elmwood Avenue. Mornings
The new 1.7km in-bound lane gives priority to buses between Lislea Drive and Edinburgh Street and between Tate's Avenue and Elmwood Avenue.
The scheme, which is only operational in the mornings, also gives priority to motorcycles and public hire taxis.The scheme, which is only operational in the mornings, also gives priority to motorcycles and public hire taxis.
On Monday, the BBC was contacted by a number of motorists who said they were delayed because of the new arrangement.On Monday, the BBC was contacted by a number of motorists who said they were delayed because of the new arrangement.
But Mr Rogan said most of the people using the Lisburn Road would also have access to a bus service.But Mr Rogan said most of the people using the Lisburn Road would also have access to a bus service.
"In the past couple of years, since we have introduced Metro in Belfast, we have seen millions of people choosing to use the bus, moving from their car into the buses, because the service is faster and better," he said."In the past couple of years, since we have introduced Metro in Belfast, we have seen millions of people choosing to use the bus, moving from their car into the buses, because the service is faster and better," he said.
Translink plans to roll out bus lanes on the main 12 Metro routes in and out of Belfast.Translink plans to roll out bus lanes on the main 12 Metro routes in and out of Belfast.