Belfast-Dublin rail service to be improved by €700m cross-border investment

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

A €700 million cross-border investment deal will deliver a more reliable and comfortable rail service between Belfast and Dublin, operators have said.

The improvement to the rail service is jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government of Ireland, with €165 million in funding through PeacePlus – an initiative also involving the UK Government and the European Union.

The plan, which will see the delivery of eight new intercity Stadler trains by late 2028, was unveiled at a signing ceremony at Belfast Grand Central Station on Thursday.

Translink said the trains will “deliver a major step change in comfort and customer experience”.

There will be up to 16 services per direction daily with a target express journey time of under two hours, due to increased acceleration and performance.

With around 400 seats, the trains’ features include step-free interiors and unaided boarding on exterior doors, enhanced customer facilities like USB charging points and power sockets, and a spacious dining and bar area.

Translink said the tri-mode capability of the trains – capable of operating on electric, diesel and battery power – will reduce emissions, enable quieter journeys and ensure “seamless operation” as the Belfast–Dublin line transitions towards “full electrification”.