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The long awaited hourly Enterprise services from Newry to Dublin or Belfast officially starts tomorrow 29 October.
Whether your destination is Dublin’s Connolly Station or Belfast's Grand Central Station or even Dundalk, Portadown or Drogheda the enhanced convenience is sure to be popular for Newry passengers.
With funding of €25 million provided by the Government of Ireland, from the Shared Island Fund and Department of Transport, the hourly service represents the most significant expansion of services on the route in over a quarter of a century. Welcoming the new services Chris Conway, Chief Executive of Translink said: “An hourly Enterprise service is a massive boost for people, communities, and the environment and represents a tremendous opportunity for economic growth.
“We welcome the funding provided by the Government of Ireland, under the Shared Island Fund, and the close cooperation with Iarnród Éireann, which has allowed this expansion to be delivered.”
Fifteen services will operate in each direction between Belfast and Dublin from Mondays to Saturdays, up from eight each way previously, and eight each way on Sundays (up from six each way previously). This increased level of service will offer more choice and flexibility for customers between the two cities and for those that travel to/from interim stations.
The enhanced connectivity is set to bring many benefits for business, retail and tourism, help tackle the climate emergency and provide a boost to the thriving all-island economy.
Irish Minister for Transport, Éamon Ryan said: “The new hourly-frequency represents a doubling of the service and significantly enhances sustainable transport connectivity between the two largest cities on the island. This will help people along the line to choose the train more often and will strengthen both economic and social connections right along the corridor. This is the start of our all-island rail transformation.
Minister for Infrastructure John O’Dowd added: “An expanded and improved rail network offers opportunities to drive jobs and growth, stimulate development and regeneration and boost access to services and education. It will also help decarbonise transport and encourage behavioural shift to public transport.
“The introduction of the hourly Enterprise service between Belfast and Dublin will be another huge boost for public transport, the economy and it will improve linkages not only between the two cities but connections along the entire north south rail corridor. I am keen that we continue to be ambitious around our rail network and look forward to a future where people across this island, in particular those in rural areas, have greater access to rail travel.”
Download the full timetable here Enterprise Train Service to 8 December 2024
