Transport Minister announces new enterprise service from Newry to Dublin

Transport Minister, Conor Murphy today announced the introduction of a new train Enterprise service between Newry and Dublin.

The Minister made the announcement during a site visit to the construction of the new Newry Train Station.

The Minister said: “Commuters from Newry to Dublin will benefit from a new Enterprise express service at 08.52am, Monday to Saturday from next Monday 15 December. Passengers will be able to get from Newry to Dublin in just over one hour arriving into Connolly Station at 10.00am.

“I welcome the steps taken by Translink to accommodate customers and I am pleased to see how well the work on the construction of the new £14.6million railway station in Newry has progressed. The new station is part of a major investment programme designed to upgrade railway services in the North and will be a major asset for Newry and the whole region.

“This new station will provide a modern, attractive facility for passengers with covered cycle parking, passenger amenities and lifts and will also include provision for 300 parking spaces. I understand it will be fully operational by the autumn of next year and I look forward to seeing it completed. I thank Translink and the Contractors for their continuing hard work on this project.

“This is one of several major projects which the Department is funding in order to improve public transport in the region. Passenger numbers on the railways are increasing significantly. In 2007/08 there was an 11% increase in passenger journeys compared to the previous year and trends for this year are equally encouraging. During the next three years the Department will provide £137million in capital grant to further enhance and improve services on the railways.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Work on site at the station began in February 2008 and is expected to be completed by late 2009.
2. Total costs of the project are expected to be £14.6million.
3. The new Enterprise service will leave Belfast at 8.00am and then Newry at 8.52am arriving in Dublin at 10.00am.
4. Media queries to: Press Office, Tel 028 90 540887. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.