The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has released the annual Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2024-25 report, compiled by the Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch (ASRB). Drawing on Translink’s administrative data, the report tracks passenger journeys, fleet composition and staffing levels across Northern Ireland’s bus and rail network.
After three turbulent years of pandemic recovery, the figures matter to commuters, planners and climate-minded citizens alike. They reveal how close public transport is to regaining pre-Covid patronage, how quickly zero-emission vehicles are being rolled out and whether staffing levels can keep pace with service demand.
Passenger Journeys Edge Up—But Rail Still Lags
Overall journeys reached 81.1 million in 2024-25, up 3.6 % on the previous year yet still 2.7 % below 2019-20. Bus usage (67.8 million trips) has almost clawed back its pre-pandemic position, sitting just 0.7 % shy of 2019-20 levels. Rail, however, recorded 13.3 million journeys—a 3.8 % fall on last year and 12 % down on 2019-20. ASRB offers no analysis of why rail demand is slipping while buses rebound, leaving open questions about service frequency, pricing or post-pandemic commuting habits.
Fleet Ageing as Zero-Emission Rollout Begins
Translink operated 1,420 buses at March 2025, averaging 9.3 years old. A notable 15 % are now zero-emission, with another 2.4 % diesel-hybrid. The remainder—over four-fifths—are still diesel. Rail rolling stock is significantly older: 164 carriages with an average age of 19 years. The statistics confirm incremental progress towards decarbonisation but stop short of outlining replacement schedules, capital budgets or alignment with Northern Ireland’s 2050 net-zero target.
Staff Numbers Recovering
Full-time equivalent staff rose 4.2 % to 4,331, reversing pandemic-era headcount reductions. Roughly 71 % work on bus services and 29 % on rail. The report does not break these totals down by driver, engineering, or customer service roles, nor does it address recruitment challenges widely reported in the UK transport sector.
What the Numbers Leave Out
Funding transparency: No information is provided on the cost of new zero-emission buses or how they are financed at a time of significant budget pressure in Stormont.
Service quality: Metrics on punctuality, passenger satisfaction, accessibility for disabled users, or rural service coverage are absent. These factors shape public confidence as much as raw journey counts.
Climate context: Transport accounts for around 23 % of Northern Ireland’s greenhouse-gas emissions (DfE, 2023). Without emission-reduction trajectories, it is hard to judge whether the current 15 % zero-emission share is on track.
Post-pandemic travel patterns: Hybrid working, school travel patterns and tourism recovery are not explored, yet each could explain rail’s weaker rebound.
Questions for Policymakers and the Public
- How will Translink address the continued decline in rail ridership and encourage a shift from private cars?
- What is the timetable and funding model for replacing the remaining 82.6 % diesel bus fleet?
- Why are passenger-experience indicators—punctuality, cancellations, accessibility—absent from an otherwise detailed statistical report?
- How is recruitment and retention being managed to ensure sufficient drivers and maintenance staff as services expand?
- Could more granular data on rural versus urban journeys help identify underserved communities?
Looking Ahead
The publication confirms that public transport in Northern Ireland is inching back towards its pre-Covid baseline, with buses leading the recovery and zero-emission vehicles slowly entering service. Yet headline figures alone cannot tell the whole story. Future updates on funding, service quality and climate alignment will be crucial for judging whether Translink’s network can meet both passenger expectations and decarbonisation imperatives. Stakeholders may wish to watch for the Executive’s forthcoming budget allocations and any complementary strategy on rail modernisation.