Using Ulsterbus within the Metro area

[johncrossley]

Which bus stops within the Belfast area served by both Metro and Ulsterbus stop are you allowed to use Ulsterbus for a local trip within the Metro area? Sometimes it is marked on the bus stop towards the city centre that Ulsterbus is set down only but not always.

If you are allowed to use Ulsterbus for a journey within the Metro area, are Metro only tickets valid? For example mLink.

Are there any bus stops in an area fairly close to the city, mostly served by Metro, which are only served by Ulsterbus?

 

[Megafuss]

Which bus stops within the Belfast area served by both Metro and Ulsterbus stop are you allowed to use Ulsterbus for a local trip within the Metro area? Sometimes it is marked on the bus stop towards the city centre that Ulsterbus is set down only but not always.

If you are allowed to use Ulsterbus for a journey within the Metro area, are Metro only tickets valid? For example mLink.

Are there any bus stops in an area fairly close to the city, mostly served by Metro, which are only served by Ulsterbus?

Re ticketing. Get a Belfast Visitor pass or I-link card for zone 1. The Metro day ticket is not valid on Ulsterbus.

Stops? Pass.... I find the Translink approach to bus operations....more complicated than they need to be

 

[Flying Snail]

Looking at individual timetables and using the Translink journey planner or app are the only way to figure it out on a route by route basis.

 

[Belfastmarty]

Out of town services generally will only set down in the Metro area on an inbound journey and pick up at Ulsterbus stops on the outward. But those in the 5xx series will set down / pick up at all stops. So for example an Ulsterbus from Downpatrick could be a 15 or a 515 or confusingly sometimes a 516 dependent on the stopping pattern. TBF it doesnt add much to the pasdenger experience.

 

[johncrossley]

Re ticketing. Get a Belfast Visitor pass or I-link card for zone 1. The Metro day ticket is not valid on Ulsterbus.

There is a big difference in price. The mLink is £4 and the iLink is £6. This is really poor integration to be honest. Translink owns and operates all modes in the province so they have no excuse. I can understand Ulsterbus not serving local trips covered by Metro as it aids journey times and avoids crowding but where Ulsterbus can be used locally it seems odd to require a multi-operator ticket. You should be able to change between vehicles and modes without extra cost like in most cities outside the UK. Easier in Northern Ireland as it is all nationalised. Even Dublin now has its 90 minute ticket.

 

[TUC]

Out of town services generally will only set down in the Metro area on an inbound journey and pick up at Ulsterbus stops on the outward. But those in the 5xx series will set down / pick up at all stops. So for example an Ulsterbus from Downpatrick could be a 15 or a 515 or confusingly sometimes a 516 dependent on the stopping pattern. TBF it doesnt add much to the pasdenger experience.

But, for example, as I recall some of the stops on Holywood Road inbound towards Belfast have Ulsterbus included on the bus stop plates. It is Ulsterbus service 1 which operates along these, so implying one can use that service, but in practice it seems to just sail past stops. Very confusing.

 

[citybus2500]

Journeys can be made within Belfast on Ulsterbus services in the 500-599 route number range, which are known as Citystopper.

The Metro day ticket (£3/£4) is valid. In theory, tap on works, but I've never tried it and presumably you will need to talk to the driver. Best sticking with the mLink app.

To me, Citystopper doesn't particularly add much to the network, any benefits being quite marginal.

 

[TUC]

Journeys can be made within Belfast on Ulsterbus services in the 500-599 route number range, which are known as Citystopper.

The Metro day ticket (£3/£4) is valid. In theory, tap on works, but I've never tried it and presumably you will need to talk to the driver. Best sticking with the mLink app.

To me, Citystopper doesn't particularly add much to the network, any benefits being quite marginal.

It's that ambiguity which is so unhelpful. I had difficulty figuring out whether Metro tickets are valid on Ulsterbus and have had 'Citystopper' buses go past me at the bus stop.

 

[johncrossley]

Journeys can be made within Belfast on Ulsterbus services in the 500-599 route number range, which are known as Citystopper.

The Metro day ticket (£3/£4) is valid. In theory, tap on works, but I've never tried it and presumably you will need to talk to the driver. Best sticking with the mLink app.

To me, Citystopper doesn't particularly add much to the network, any benefits being quite marginal.

Thanks and this is confirmed in the terms and conditions that I have just found

https://www.translink.co.uk/our-apps/mlink-ticketing-app/terms-and-conditions

mLink Metro / Glider tickets are only valid on scheduled Metro and Glider services within Belfast (not valid on special bus services or rail services). They can also be used on Ulsterbus Citystopper services (500 series) and any Ulsterbus services scheduled to pick-up passengers in the Metro and Glider operating area.

although "within Belfast" is surely at least inaccurate and at best vague as Metro services reach into neighbouring local authority areas.

I want to use Glider so tap on isn't available.

 

[Belfastmarty]

But, for example, as I recall some of the stops on Holywood Road inbound towards Belfast have Ulsterbus included on the bus stop plates. It is Ulsterbus service 1 which operates along these, so implying one can use that service, but in practice it seems to just sail past stops. Very confusing.

Those stops are implicitly pick up / set down only for service 1 dependent on direction of travel. 502s can do both however. It's not at all clear from the stops themselves and very confusing system, although Translink do pretend they are customer focused.