Belfast bus service upgrade a '˜huge step forward'

The now-complete £550,000 upgrade for the buses, which run in Belfast city and its surroundings, provides “next-stop audio and visual information on their journey”.

DUP transport minister Michelle McIlveen said in a statement: “All passengers using the Metro service in Belfast are now benefiting from an audio visual system that announces and provides a visual indication of next stops along the route.

“This is already improving the passenger experience and in particular it is benefiting people with visual impairments and helping tourists use our public transport system.”

The move was also welcomed by Guide Dogs NI, which called it a “huge step forward”.

The group’s Andrew Murdock said: “Having the audio visual on our Metro bus system has greatly increased access to public transport for people who are blind and partially sighted.”