Customer & Partner Access 
The twenty million passenger journeys predicted to flow through Belfast’s new landmark Grand Central Station every year will benefit from Flowbird ticketing systems designed to make rail and bus travel effortless.
The Translink multimodal concourse – the biggest public transport infrastructure project on the island of Ireland – is the hub for integrated bus, coach and train services covering the city, the whole of Northern Ireland and cross border into the Irish Republic.
Bus services have just started operating, and with rail due to start shortly the station will offer significantly increased capacity for internal and cross-border travel, thanks to the new 26 bus stands and eight rail platforms.
Flowbird, the long-standing ticketing technology partner for Translink, has undertaken infrastructure works at Grand Central, installing and configuring rail access gates and touchscreen self-service Ticket Vending Machines.
Onboard customer teams will also benefit from new generation handheld ticketing and inspection devices for use on-train and for Glider BRT ticket sales and validation. All this technology is interfaced with the Flowbird CloudFare back office, which is central to network management, remote asset monitoring, ticketing functions and delivering multi-layered business information for Translink operations.
Transforming the passenger experience
Comments David Thompson, Managing Director of Flowbird Transport: “We’re delighted to be playing our part in helping transform the experience for passengers in step with the phased roll out of bus and rail services in Belfast Grand Central Station.
“This landmark public transport infrastructure project will deliver a truly world-class integrated station for local people and visitors, easily accessible through a wide range of digital ticketing options for each mode of transport.
He adds: “With the technology installed at Grand Central and across the multimodal network, passengers will have more choice than ever before in how they plan, access and pay for travel.”
William McGookin, Translink’s Head of Ticketing said, “The development of our new ticketing system is further transforming public transport in Northern Ireland, offering an enhanced customer experience for everyone.
“The opening of Grand Central Station is an exciting milestone and the new enhanced ticketing technology will make it even more attractive and easier for more people to use public transport as the smarter travel option which is good news for the climate and a positive step to a healthier more active society.”
Photo, courtesy of Translink, shows bus passengers at Belfast Grand Central Station.
