Eight young artists from across Northern Ireland have seen their designs brought to life on a newly wrapped double-decker bus. The winners were chosen from more than 1,000 entries to Translink’s first Brand A Bus competition, which asked schoolchildren to create artwork based on the theme ‘Painting a Greener Future’.

 

The bus, featuring the winning designs, was unveiled at Belfast Grand Central Station, marking the first time the artists saw their work displayed on such a large scale. The reveal also coincided with the first anniversary of the station, which has seen more than eight million people pass through its doors and helped deliver over four million additional passenger journeys in the past year.

 

Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, said: “The response to our first ever ‘Brand A Bus’ competition has been fantastic and for over 1,000 young people from all corners of Northern Ireland to have taken part is quite an achievement. This campaign really showcases how younger generations see the world around us: hopeful and unafraid to dream big. I think when people see this bus on local routes, it will be a true eye-opener as we continue the fight against climate change. I’d like to congratulate the competition winners and thank everyone who took part.”

 

Local artist and competition judge Rory Quigg added: “The standard of entries was incredible; the imagination and talent shown by these young people was inspiring. To see their work celebrated on something as visible and everyday as a double decker bus is fantastic. It means thousands of people across Northern Ireland will get to enjoy their creativity and hopefully it will encourage the artists to keep going with their ideas and inspire more people to take climate action.”

The Brand A Bus competition encouraged children to imagine a sustainable future for Northern Ireland, with an emphasis on encouraging greater public transport use. Entries were received from six regions across NI and the campaign also supports ambitions outlined in Translink’s Climate Positive Strategy.

The 2025 Translink ‘Brand A Bus’ Competition winners are:

• Emily, Age 11, Ahoghill
• Eva Rose, Age 12, Bangor
• Fiádh, Age 10, Belfast
• Tierna, Age 9, Belfast
• Tom, Age 7, Derry~Londonderry
• Cassy, Age 8, Newry
• Ruby, Age 9, Newry
• Nathan, Age 14, Omagh

For more information, please contact Gray’s Communications:
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