Have a hassle-free journey: travel by train, bus or coach
THE organisers of the Balmoral Show have urged visitors to plan their journeys in advance and take advantage of special bus, coach and rail travel arrangements.
Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Balmoral Park over the course of this week as Ireland’s biggest agricultural show extends to four days for the first time.
RUAS chief executive Colin McDonald said: “Preparations for this year’s Balmoral Show are well advanced and we are looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to Balmoral Park over the course of the four days.
“Our complimentary shuttle bus service from Lisburn train station to the show will be in operation again. This has operated very successfully with shuttle bus passengers enjoying quick access to the showground. Bus passengers who purchase early bird tickets on the Balmoral Show website will also be able to enjoy priority entrances to the show.”
Passengers have been advised to avoid peak travel time and make their journey to the show after 9.30am. Shuttle bus passengers are also encouraged to pre-book their show ticket and senior smartpass customers can take advantage of their free travel on scheduled services to get to the event.
Translink Group chief executive Chris Conway said special public transport services are in place for this year’s extended show, offering a more relaxing journey to Balmoral Park.
“We’re working closely with RUAS to ensure our public transport operation runs as smoothly as ever so visitors can enjoy hassle-free bus and train travel to Ireland’s largest agriculture and food event,” he said.
Special coach day tours are available online and from selected Ulsterbus stations offering a return journey to Balmoral Park and Show admission for just £31 (adult) and £11 (child). Service departure points include Londonderry, Limavady, Strabane, Omagh, Enniskillen, Dungannon, Antrim, Magherafelt, Ballymena, Ballymoney and Coleraine, with other locations also served along these main routes.
The show starts at 9.30am each day and Translink is providing a free and frequent shuttle bus service running between Lisburn train station and the showground from 9am-6.20pm (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and until 8.20pm Thursday).
Exhibitors can also use a special shuttle service available from 8.30am.
For further travel information including ticket purchase click www.translink.co.uk/balmoralshow2017/ or call 028 9066 6630. For the latest travel updates follow @Translink_NI on Twitter.