AQO 2492/22-27


Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast


Tabled Date: 25/09/2025
Answered On Date: 07/10/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2, with particular reference to the South Belfast route.


Answer:
On the 25th February 2025 I was pleased to announce the next steps for the Belfast Rapid Transit 2 project which will see implementation of this innovative service across the North and South of the city, bringing the benefits already established by the Glider service to communities living along this route.
My announcement represented a initial £48 million investment in our public transport infrastructure and is one of the projects being taken forward by my department as part of the Belfast Region City Deal. Funding of £35m has been allocated from our Deal partners, with an additional £13 million from my Department to deliver a park and ride on the O’Neill Road.
Park and Ride is a key enabler to encouraging behavioural shift and helping to drive down congestion and emissions and this phase will allow us to put in place key infrastructure which will complement the wider scheme.
This initial phase of the BRT2 project will specifically see additional bus priority measures implemented from the City Centre to Park Road on the Ormeau Road along the southern route.
The implementation of the full BRT 2 project will see the southern route connected to the already established Park and Ride at Cairnshill.
Whilst the full cost of the BRT 2 scheme is in the region of £140 - £148 million, I am grateful to the City Deal partners for the allocation of £35m to the scheme and my officials are currently working through the delivery options that could be implemented, utilising this funding envelope. The Outline Business Case is being finalised in line with the feasibility reports and delivery options.
I am committed to progressing the entirety of the scheme and will continue to work with the Executive and the Belfast Region City Deal Partners to ensure that the appropriate level of investment is made available to deliver the project.