Irish language audio announcements on Glider bus hailed as 'positive step'

NEW Irish audio announcements on the west Belfast Glider bus route is a “positive step forward” for speakers of the language, Stormont’s infrastructure minister has said.

Glider buses along the route from Belfast city centre to the McKinstry Road and Colin areas now feature “next stop” announcements for passengers in Irish and English.

The Glider services, which were introduced to the city in 2018, began to display Irish language signage for the west Belfast route last year.

The move was introduced by then-infrastructure minister Nicola Mallon, who said it was linked to Irish language commitments in the 2020 New Decade, New Approach deal signed by parties to revive power-sharing at Stormont.

That followed the display of dual signage for traditional Metro buses in the west Belfast area beginning in 2011.

Infrastructure minister, Sinn Féin’s John O’Dowd, said the new audio system was developed by Translink following consultation with Belfast-based development agency Forbairt Feirste, the Royal National Institute of Blind People and the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee to ensure “accuracy in the translations and that accessibility for more vulnerable public transport users was fully considered”.

Thanking the groups for their “valuable contribution and support”, Mr O’Dowd said: “While there is still much more to do in ensuring greater equality for the Irish language there is no doubt that this is another positive step forward.”

A Forbairt Feirste spokesperson said: “Whilst there is much more to do this is a welcome step in the full visibility of the Irish language on public transport.”