Ireland’s only international train service is to get new rolling stock in a multimillion Euro deal.
The costs of the new Belfast to Dublin Enterprise fleet will be split between the Irish government, Northern Ireland Executive and €165 million from EU Peace Programme funding.
In total, €698 million will be spent on the new trains.
The agreement was signed during Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s visit to Belfast this afternoon.
Currently an hourly service of 15 trains per day run in each direction between Belfast Grand Central Station and Dublin Connolly.
In 2023, Irish Rail and Northern Ireland Railways published a tender, at the time valued at €650 million, for a fleet of eight new trains.
But it has taken three years to get the deal finalised.
It is hoped the new fleet will bring the journey time between Dublin and Belfast down to two hours.
The trains are being built by Swiss manufacturer Stadler Rail.
The “tri-mode” trains will be capable of running on diesel, battery or electric power.
The operators say the objective will be to achieve “full electric operation as route electrification progresses.”
Translink and Irish Rail said the new trains will mean “smoother, quieter and more comfortable journeys.”
The company promises that the trains will be disability-friendly with “unaided” boarding.
Refreshments will be available on board. And there will be USB plug sockets at every seat.
A “target express journey time” of less than two hours between Dublin and Belfast is promised, but this is likely to depend on upgrades to the line being competed as well.
The “landmark deal” was agreed between Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, and Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste Simon Harris TD.
The agreement was signed by Northern Ireland’s Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins, and Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:
“This is a hugely welcome investment and a really significant moment for one of our island’s most important transport links. We are already seeing more people choosing the Belfast to Dublin rail service, helping to grow our thriving all-island economy, and strengthen connections between communities.
“This new fleet will improve services, enhance the passenger experience and deliver benefits for people and places right across the island. This is an investment in our future that will create new jobs, more opportunities and more sustainable travel for years to come.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin added:
The “acquisition of a new fleet of trains for the Enterprise Service heralds a significant new chapter for cross-border rail connectivity on the island of Ireland.
The Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor is already home to over 2 million people and the new Enterprise fleet will support the Corridor to become even more connected, prosperous and sustainable in the years ahead.”