Belfast City Council votes to end free Christmas parking - BBC News
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I_need_time_to_think
[deleted]
Fair enough staying out of Belfast for my Christmas shopping.
Tote_Sport
To the Internet!
newbridger
I've been staying out of Belfast for any shopping since the bus lanes were introduced.
keithbelfastisdead
It's really not that hard to drive around Belfast, even with the bus lanes.
And if you're a culchie coming into the town, use a park'n'ride.
newbridger
I got stung once by them and I was just following the signs home and ended up down a one way street leading directly onto a bus lane. So once is enough I'll not go back. I'm still bitter, as a student £45 is a week and a halfs money to me.
keithbelfastisdead
All you have to do is follow traffic signs and not drive in the bus lanes when they're in operation. It's not massively hard.
newbridger
I said that I was following the signs back for home but they led me to a one way road where I couldn't turn which then turned into a bus lane.
keithbelfastisdead
Do you remember where the road is? I'm trying to think of where a road would only have a bus lane option. Was it from Donegal Sqr East going on to Adelaide St?
clairebones [OP]
Typical Translink managing to screw everyone over as much as they possibly can. The idea that this will bring more people to the city centre is insane to me - why would people choose to pay huge ticket prices so they can drag their shopping onto public transport, and not be able to hang around in the evening after shopping since the buses/trains don't run late enough.
keithbelfastisdead
But trying to find a free parking space in Belfast was basically impossible, adding to the terrible congestion problems we already have.
clairebones [OP]
When I came in with friends in cars, yes it took a bit of a while, but it's certainly not 'impossible'.
On the train however, it costs a ridiculous amount of money, the trains stop between 22:00 and 23:15 depending on train line and station, they're too full to carry any bags, they don't have any lockers for you to store your shopping so you can go out for dinner or drinks... And that's if they aren't late, or cancelled, which happens far more than any other non-striking train line I have ever known. The buses aren't any better except their times are different.
I don't know if you work for Translink, or you just never need to take public transport, but Translink are a damned disgrace who seem to try to make money by leaving people with no better options, rather than just making some effort to make their services in someway decent or affordable.
keithbelfastisdead
I definitely don't work for translink. I had massive problems with the 8a a few years ago and got a bike. But i've been back on the buses for a year now and they're really good. I've rarely seen a delay, the bus lanes make a massive difference to the journey time and I really like using the app.
I've also worked across the UK and had to commute a lot. Translink isn't actually that bad in comparison.
Though I think you're right about the trains - it's a shame they dont have luggage sections, and they feel a bit pricey (£9 Whitehead return wtf).
You're a bit naive, young or both if you think they haven't made improvements in recent years.
clairebones [OP]
You're a bit naive, young or both if you think they haven't made improvements in recent years.
Not sure why you felt the need to go patronising at the end?
I've been using the trains to get to Belfast and back every weekday for 10 years at this point. The trains are newer, but the prices have gone up much more. Costs me over £120 per month for a monthly ticket between Bangor and Belfast, the second you know or live with a second person there's absolutely no value or benefit in using the trains. I also can't remember the last time I managed a week's worth of journeys without a delayed or cancelled train, which never used to be the case.
keithbelfastisdead
You'll find that exact experience across all of the UK. It's not unique to NI.
IMHO it's not a dreadful/disgraceful service. I think it works fine. I'd prefer if it was cheaper and if there were more late night train options on the Bangor and Larne lines. But overall I'm quite happy with it at the moment.
totallyspecial
I moved to Belfast from GB and Translink are shite compared to what I was used to (which wasn't London). Their only redeeming feature is not having extortionate fares on Metro. But having a timetable they stick to or running on Sundays would be nice.
Half of the problem from what I've seen are the road layouts though, there are so many retarded junctions and one way systems in Belfast that it's hard to guess how long it'll take to get anywhere. Plus the people who park like idiots blocking lanes everywhere.
nelldog
Currently reading this on a hugely delayed 8A... I call bullshit
keithbelfastisdead
I'll wave as you drive past...
tanissturm
how fking stupid are the people that make these decisions. surely its going to discourage people to shop in Belfast at xmas.
TrucksNShit
This is the second worst christmas time decision by belfast city council only second to the removal of our flag!!
No but this is is actually really fucking stupid, i deliberately buy less when i take public transport into the city center because who wants to carry shopping on a bus or train? Not me
Fuck translink, bastards
Lovehat
internet is pretty good
gmcb007
However, PUP councillor John Kyle said Tuesday night's decision was the right one. "I think it will result in more consumers coming into the city centre," he said.
In other words, Translink gave him a "donation" before the meeting.
[deleted]
Good! The disruption caused by the free parking gets worse every year.
Yeah, but by how much, for how long and how many? Knowing Translink it'll probably be reduced by 5p, start on Christmas Eve and be one extra bus.
Daimo 10 points · Oct 2016
....that turns up late and departs late. And flys on by because it's 3/4 full. And be driven by The Grinch in disguise.
keithbelfastisdead 4 points · Oct 2016
Metro Day tickets will be £2.50 after 9.30am, which seems pretty decent value. Confirmed on GMU this morning.
clairebones [OP] 6 points · Oct 2016 · Bangor
Is it just metro tickets they're discounting? Because the people who are driving and parking all day are often from outside of Belfast, not inside the Metro zone.
keithbelfastisdead 5 points · Oct 2016
No, i think there's other discounts - that's just the only price I can remember from this morning.
My memory has gone to shit...
marke0110 2 points · Oct 2016 · Derry
A whole 50p saving! That will surely get the car owners to take the bus!
keithbelfastisdead 3 points · Oct 2016
90p.
marke0110 2 points · Oct 2016 · Derry
50p
http://i.imgur.com/RiBQV7t.png
keithbelfastisdead 2 points · Oct 2016
http://www.translink.co.uk/Services/Metro-Service-Page/Metro-Day-Ticket/
marke0110 2 points · Oct 2016 · Derry
It's a bit disingenuous to be calling it a 90p saving when a cheaper ticket is available to all without concession.
keithbelfastisdead 2 points · Oct 2016
Nope. It's the actual saving on the actual ticket that I mentioned.
marke0110 1 points · Oct 2016 · Derry
What's up with the Translink Defence Force over here? It's the same ticket ya fucking balloon.
keithbelfastisdead 2 points · Oct 2016
Ok, maybe I'm missing something. Where do you pick up an off peak day ticket for £3?
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