Translink launched their Glider system back in 2018, saying it was an effortless and smooth way to travel.
Routes currently run from East to West Belfast through the city centre, but there are plans to extend routes north and south of the city too.
Each Glider service operates with an eco-hybrid fleet, described as a ‘tram on wheels’, that aims to make city centre travel more convenient and hassle-free.
With Translink claiming that the Glider service leads to a 25% reduction in public transport journey times, and with services arriving every 7-8 minutes, it's a convenient service.
Here’s everything you need to know before you Glide across the city:
Glider stops in Belfast
Glider services in Belfast are currently divided into two: Glider G1 and Glider G2.
The Glider G1 service runs between East and West Belfast, while the Glider G2 service connects Belfast City Centre to the Titanic Quarter.
City centre G1 services eastbound pick up at Wellington Place, Chichester Street and Custom House Square.
G1 services westbound pick up at May Street (St George’s Market), May Street (City Hall), and College Square East.
On the G1 service, the furthest point west is McKinstry Road, while east is the Dundonald Park & Ride.
G1 westbound stops are:
- Royal Hospital
Children’s Hospital
Beechmount
Beechview Park
City Cemetery
Falls Park
Kennedy Centre
Beech Hall
Fruithill Park
Casement Park
Slievegallion Drive
Shaws Road
St Genevieve’s
Lenadoon Avenue
Woodbourne
Glengoland
Upper Dunmurry Lane
Colin Connect
Twinbrook Road
Lagmore Avenue
McKinstry Road
G1 eastbound stops are:
- Lanyon Place
- Short Strand
- Templemore Avenue
- Avoniel
- Connswater
- Holywood Arches
- Beersbridge Road
- Oakland Avenue
- North Road
- Ballyhackamore
- Astoria Gardens
- Greenwood Park
- Knock Road
- Cabin Hill
- Stormont
- Summerhill Avenue
- Rosepark
- Comber Road
- Ulster Hospital
- Cherryhill
Dundonald Park & Ride
Translink Metro bus services also run from the Colin and Dundonald halts to nearby residential areas.
Belfast city centre pick up points for the Glider G2
Glider G2 services to Titanic Quarter pick up at May Street (St George’s Market), May Street (City Hall), Wellington Place, Chichester Street, and Custom House Square.
G2 stops to Titanic Quarter are:
- Odyssey
- Titanic
- Thompson Dry Dock
- Catalyst Inc
How much does the Glider cost?
Unlike Metro and Ulsterbus services, tickets for Glider services must be purchased before boarding.
Ticket machines are located at every Glider halt, and tickets can also be purchased on the mLink phone app.
If you have a Smartcard you can also use this for the Glider. Simply validate your card at one of the validators at every Glider halt.
The screen will change to green, display a tick, and make a sound to let you know your Smartcard has been validated and you’re good to go.
With the mLink app, Glider tickets can be purchased and used both on the Glider and Metro services.
An mLink adult day ticket for the Glider is £2.80, and this is valid for travel across the whole Metro and Glider network for one day.
Without the mLink app, a day ticket costs £3 for use at off-peak times (after 9.30am), and £3.50 for peak times.
Buying a day ticket gives you the best value for money, as a single ticket could set you back £1.60 for the Inner Zone, or up to £2.10 for the City Zone.
