Taxi Driver Online

Taxis are to be allowed to use Belfast's bus lanes on a trial basis starting next week.

The trial, which will last 12 weeks will apply to the bus lanes on the East and West Belfast Rapid Transit routes and the 12 hour bus lanes in the city centre, which link the two routes.

The scheme relates to Class A taxis and any of the remaining taxis still licensed as Private Hire (operating under green plates) and Public Hire outside Belfast (operating under white plates).

Both Class B and Class D taxis are already permitted to use all bus lanes. Class B taxis are wheelchair accessible taxis and are mostly former Belfast Public Hire taxis but can include wheelchair accessible taxis which were formerly licensed as private hire.

The Department for Infrastructure says their aim is to balance and respect the needs of all road users.

These are the three Belfast bus lanes changing to 12 hour operation
A spokesman said: "The Department will assess the impact of the taxis on the operation of the bus lanes during the trial period.

"This will include the safety of bus lane users, as well as the impact on journey times, vehicle speeds and volumes.

"The Department will also invite stakeholders to provide their views before reaching a decision on the long term access arrangements for taxis in bus lanes."

Class C taxis (intended for specialist services e.g. weddings and funerals) have not been permitted access.


The trial will apply to any of the city centre 12 hour bus lanes (which are marked on the adjacent bus lane sign with ‘7am to 7pm’), and includes the following:

Chichester Street
College Avenue
College Square East
Cromac Street
Donegall Square East
Donegall Square North
Donegall Square South
Fisherwick Place
Great Victoria Street
Howard Street
May Street
Oxford Street
Queen Street
Upper Queen Street
Victoria Street
Wellington Place
The trial gets underway next Monday, February 20.

Further information on taxi classes can be found on nidirect’s website

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

How refreshing.

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IDFIMH