Crowds gathered at Belfast’s new £340m Grand Central Station on Sunday for the first day of the station’s phased opening.
The Europa Bus Station officially closed its doors at 11.30pm on Saturday, while the first people getting buses from the new transport hub off the Grosvenor Road departed to Dublin and Belfast International Airport from 5am on Sunday morning.
Frankie McCardle and his wife Geraldine from Finaghy decided to visit the station for the historical opening.
“We were just out for a walk around Queen’s [University] and we came down to have a look. It’s really amazing to see,” Frankie said.
The pair feel the new station will help to modernise Belfast.
Frankie and Geraldine McCardle
“It’s like a different city, Geraldine was saying just when we came in, it’s just like an airport.
“It’s brilliant to see something like this in Belfast, we badly needed it especially with the other two stations so it’s amazing to see it here today,” Frankie said.
Ciara Finnegan from Portaferry and her family were some of the first people to arrive at the new station after getting the bus from Dublin airport.
“It’s nice and bright. It’s a big change from the Europa which is probably welcomed by a lot of people,” she said.
Ciara feels the new station will be more accommodating for tourists visiting Northern Ireland.
“It’s a lot bigger and more welcoming than what we had before so fingers crossed it encourages a bit more travel,” she said.
Nick McRobert from Belfast decided to take his five-year-old daughter Harriet to the opening of the station.
“We are down for a wee mooch just to see the new station, it’s a big change for Belfast and I think it will be pretty fantastic when it is fully opened,” Nick said.
Nick MRobert and his daughter Harriet
He wanted to bring his daughter to the station to witness the historic opening.
“Hopefully in 30 years’ time Harriet will remember that she was here the very first day it opened,” Nick said.
Nick feels the new station is the perfect welcome for tourists visiting Northern Ireland.
“I think it’s definitely something we have needed, visitors coming in from Dublin and from the airport and things, it will be impressive for them,” he said.
The new station will be the largest integrated transport hub on the island of Ireland and will feature retailers such as M&S, Brewdog and Pret a Manger within it — with the hope it becomes a thriving retail centre.
However, none of these retailers are currently operating in the station so local business Fuelled by Yellow Door is currently running a pop-up coffee shop in the station.
Three of their baristas, Sam Netherton (20), Emma Wilson (19) and Will Lettin (20), said they feel privileged to see the station opening.
“It’s very modern, you feel like you are in London or something. I was surprised by how big it was, especially from the outside it just looks so impressive,” Emma said.
The trio are excited to show tourists visiting Belfast some of their NI delicates.
“I think it’s good that we are here because we are
Translink has received some backlash due to a lack of Irish language signs in the station, with Irish language activists calling on Translink to add bilingual signage.
West Belfast SDLP councillor Paul Doherty voiced his concerns.
“It’s very disappointing that the lack of Irish language signage at the new Grand Central Station has marred the very positive opening of the biggest transport hub on this island in the heart of Belfast,” he said.
Doherty said there was an agreement in the council that the station should have bilingual signage.
Grand Central Station (Credit: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press)
“Council has voted in favour of bilingual signage at the new station and I cannot understand why Translink has gone against this,” he said.
” This station will be used by travellers not only from Belfast and the North, but by tourists from around the world and it’s important different languages are represented.”
Doherty added that he has spoken directly to Translink about the issue.
“The exclusion of Irish and other languages has caused real concern and I raised it directly with Translink when I met with them on Friday. This new station must be reflective of the inclusive city we are trying to build and I urge Translink to put this right.”
Some also feel the station is too large and have questioned if it is worth the investment. Caitlin Williams (22) from Newry got a bus into the station today.
“I just think it’s too big, it feels really empty at the minute,” she said.
Aaron Colbert (21) from Belfast echoed her concerns.
“I don’t really see the point of a new station unless they are going to update the rail line, to me that would be more of a priority,” he said.
Caitlin Williams and Aaron Colbert