>>1731607>Subway systemPointless in a city as small as Belfast.
Personally, I think there's really two options:
Option 1: bring back trolleybuses
The Glider already exists, and the Van Hool models they bought are actually just trolleybuses, with a diesel engine fitted, creating a serial hybrid. Why not put up overhead line and be done with it? Belfast was the last city in the UK to get rid of trolleybuses in the 60s.
Option 2: bring back trams
Belfast had trams long ago - Belfast got rid of them not long after the second world war, to make space for motor cars. So... why not build a new tram network?
Smaller 2 segment articulated models are offered by most of the big manufacturers like Alstom, Stadler and Skoda.
But as you said... politics is fucked.
I can't imagine either being implemented when the politicians can't fucking decide whether or not they want a North Belfast Glider to use the Antrim Road or the Shore Road.
I mean... here's my solution: do both routes - they're both going to terminate at a new park and ride in Glengormley - so why not just have a loop service? Idk... The Antrim Road has more people living next to it, but they're Catholic, and most of the Shore Road already has bus lanes, but it's Protestant. Like... are we really making transport a sectarian decision???
But of course... The Northern Ireland Executive can't organise getting money from Westminster to build car charge points, because they don't understand who owns pedestrian pavements, and the Executive is facing a struggling NI Water Service which is starting that without significant cash injections, the NI water infrastructure is probably going to collapse next summer, since most of their pumping stations barely work, and even with reservoirs and stuff, they'd have to transport water across NI by HGV.
But no, DUP are screeching about the NI Protocol, Sinn Féin are screeching about Irish language. I'm not saying those aren't important topics, but get your fucking priorities right
