Translink Bus & Train Station

Back in 1999 Bangor Bus Station used to terrify me, yes that’s right I was scared of a building. It do not know if this was because I was 13 or because it was a cold, dark and had many nooks and crannies for bigger boys to hide.
But all that is in the past because in 2001 Bangor opened a brand new Bus and Rail Centre, it even sounds less intimidating. The station now resembles a water park with its ultra marine blue colour schemes and curvaceous roof.
Every day I begin my journey to Belfast at Bangor bus station, or should I say rail centre. It boasts a coffee shop, newsagents and booking office which is handy as my 7am routine includes buying a coffee, newspaper and a single visa transaction. That visa transaction always helps to wake me up. A return to Great Victoria street is 7.20 which is outrageous considering the short distance.
Despite the accessibility and personality of Bangor’s bus stations it does little to console me when I tot up my monthly travel bill.

I have only started driving the last year so up until the ripe old age of 24 I was at the mercy of Translink and Northern Ireland antiquated and completely awful and overpriced public transport system.
The train services are ok, but just about. They are massively overpriced, with a return to Belfast costing over £7 and that is just ridiculous. I get a student pass and that comes to £6.80 for a day return. In the winter months there are nearly constant delays and there is never any information given to help you out or let you know what is going on. That and on a quick 30minute journey it is not uncommon to have your ticket checked 3 or 4 times, including at both ends of the station.
Ridiculous and an embarassment compared to public transport anywhere else I have ever been in the world.