Beginning today (Monday 3rd July) extra trains will operate between Newry and Belfast at peak morning and evening times, and a late evening service will depart Belfast at 10.10pm from Monday to Saturday.
The enhanced rail service is Translink’s response to years of lobbying by politicians, businesses and the local community.
Translink’s Rail Services Manager Hilton Parr said the company has “been listening to our customers”.
“We have seen strong growth over the last year with an increase in excess of 4.5% in passenger journeys* on this route as more and more people make the train their first choice for travel; now we want to build on this,” he said.
“In addition to the timetable developments, we also have a range of everyday value travel tickets available for commuters such as weekly, monthly and mlink tickets, together with an excellent park and ride facility at the station, it’s a really easy and cost effective way to commute to Belfast.”
Mr Hilton says the later evening train from Belfast to Newry is an attractive option for those wishing to socialise in Belfast, “and with one third off day returns available after 9.30am and our £17 Family and Friends Ticket too, it’s a great value option,” he added.
SDLP MLA Justin McNulty said the move is a major achievement for the local community.
“The relentless campaigning by many in the local community forced the then Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard and his officials within Translink to act. Full credit must go to the local community and I had the pleasure of working closely with them in their efforts,” he said.
Mr McNulty says rail services “should be a priority” across the country and has called for further investment in the industry: “I want to see the network and services provided expand right throughout this island. I firmly believe that additional services will generate additional demand. If there are the right services at the right times, people will move from their cars towards public transport.
“However investment is not just needed in upgrading the stock and the rail network, it is also needed in regular maintenance,” he added, pointing out that a recent schedule did not operate due to a technical fault. “This is simply unacceptable and comes on the back of much heralded investment in train infrastructure. We need to see a full package of investment to maintain and grow the rail network across this island,” he said.
Meanwhile the additional Newry/Belfast services include: early morning express service from Newry to Belfast (6.35 a.m.); evening train from Belfast to Newry for commuters (6.20 p.m.); late evening service from Belfast to Newry (10.10 p.m.).
Further enhancements include additional Saturday services from Newry to Belfast (7.50 a.m.) and Belfast to Newry (5.30 p.m. and 10.10 p.m.).
Full details of these enhancements and timetables can be found on Translink website
http://www.translink.co.uk/services/ni-railways/routes-timetables/all-timetables/.