What Happened to Belfast's Trams? |

[Credit for background footage goes to DaveSpencer32 & Bus Videos NI]
Part Two of this video series will focus on what happened to CityBus' fleet and network after Translinkl rebranded them as Metro, as well as how the Department for Infrastructure came to integrate Bus Rapid Transit to Belfast's congested streets.
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You could one day be part of the reason Belfast's tram network is restored to its former glory.
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Intro 0:00
Metro Rebrand: 01:26
Failed Tram Proposal 04:20
The Glider 07:48
Wrightbus' Collapse 13:42
Metro Modernisation and Wrightbus' Renaissance 15:27
Outro 17:12
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[@Blurry_Sights]

Well worth giving a little to this channel. Just joined as a member to help Keep your inspiration going and hope it goes a little too pay for your expenses keeping us all informed. Great work. Keep it up😊

[@harri2626]

The problem with BRT is not only their inadequate capacity potential due to the limits on bus length, but the poor ride quality compared to light rail or trams. The quality of a bus ride is only as good as the quality of the road surface which, as we all know, can be very poor. It is also becoming increasingly evident that rubber tyre wear causes considerable airborne pollutants which can be damaging to health and the local environment through run-off into water courses.

[@gorg8882]

Small zero emissions electric busses also being trialed for local town services in Coleraine, haven't tried them yet but they're pure quiet, very nice

[@krinos1]

the quality and research of these videos is excellent! love learning about my own countries infrastructure

[@fundthenine]

I appreciate it!
The last video in this series is just around the corner, college makes it hard to get them out fast now haha
I have some good historical content in the pipeworks too!

[@krinos1]

@@fundthenine cant wait!
If you want any ideas you could do a video explaining that tram that crashed into phoenix bar in 1946

[@fundthenine]

​@@krinos1 I haven't much thought about discussing notorius accidents in the past, but I'll take that on board now that you say it.
Although there's been that many I could be here a while 🤣

[@wierdwilko]

Great work!

[@nirailwaystrainspooterbelf3134]

Reckon if the glider will be added to north belfast

[@fundthenine]

The Glider is planned to be added to North Belfast as part of the new G3 route for the Antrim Road.
I recently met with DUP Infrastructure Spokesperson, Phillip Brett, who stated his support for the proposal to extend the North Belfast service all the way to the Mossley West Railway Halt to increase the level of connectivity, and give Glengormly a direct way to access the BRT network.

[@ewanduffy]

Here's a suggestion from left field. As there is no prospect of freight on the Bangor branch (even if freight services were restored in NI), convert the Bangor branch to LRT and extend it into Belfast city. This could then be the basis of a future network. NIR passenger services could then run Larne (Harbour) to Portadown rather than Bangor/Portadown.

[@anoniaino]

Interesting.
Light rail has lower top speeds though, so you would be spending money to downgrade a corridor, which you don’t want to do.
What you can do is have to trams stop at the city centre stations for seamless transfers.

[@ewanduffy]

@@anoniaino it would allow for more stops than a heavy rail line (stations closer together).

[@fundthenine]

As far as I am aware, the All Island Rail Review has suggested the reintegration of rail freight in Northern Ireland.
A new rail freight port at Larne, and a new rail freight hub at Portadown.
Downgrading the Bangor Line to LRT would do little to help the progression of such a rail development, and would likely only put the Bangor Line on the chopping block.
When the NIR network starts electrification, it will stretch from Bangor, through Belfast and on to Dublin, so I highly doubt Translink or the DFI would be keen on making that process more awkward than it already will be.

[@anoniaino]

The through running could be Bangor-Portadown and Larne-Knockmore line.

[@rachel.mcgowan]

​@@ewanduffyArguably there are too many stops already on the Bangor line, I'm not endorsing closing any of them but they should run more express services which miss out most of the stops. This might not be economic though, I don't know if they'd get enough extra "end to end" passengers to make up for any lost revenue from smaller intermediate stops. But it is common to have "stopping" trains and limited stop services alternating on the same line, so why can't it be looked at on the Bangor line. Nearly 45 minutes from Bangor to Great Victoria Street for most of the day's journeys is not good at all.