€165 million investment in Belfast-Dublin Enterprise service to deliver new trains and reduced journey times

Journey times on the cross-border route will also be reduced through the funding from the Special EU Programme Body, PEACEPLUS Programme.

Under the Fleet Replacement Programme, the entire Enterprise fleet will be replaced with brand new trains by the end of this decade. Existing four train sets will be replaced with eight new, modern and sustainable train sets reducing journey time between the cities to under two hours, improving accessibility and passenger experience.

Designed to evolve as both jurisdictions move towards a fully electrified cross-border rail corridor over the coming decades, the new trains will support goals of net zero carbon emissions.

This follows the recent announcement from the Irish government of €25 million to provide for an hourly Enterprise train service under the Shared Island Initiative which is set for launch later this year.

The funding for the major transformation project has been welcomed by Translink and Iarnród Éireann.

Chris Conway, CEO, Translink, said: “The flagship Enterprise service represents a tremendous opportunity for growth. Approximately 3.3 million people live within a 40-mile commute distance from the Belfast – Dublin railway corridor.

"This is projected to grow to over 4 million by 2030 and represents around half of the island’s population.

"Development of the Enterprise service is key to building competitiveness and in the creation of close links and communications between the people and communities living and working in and between the two main cities on the corridor.

"We hope that this encourages more people to leave their cars at home and use public transport.”

Jim Meade, CEO Iarnród Éireann, said: “Iarnród Éireann and Translink are hugely ambitious to grow and develop the Enterprise service. That ambition is now supported by this significant investment from SEUPB to help deliver a transformative new fleet.

"This will enable more people than ever to travel sustainably along the Enterprise route and contribute to our economy, society and environment.”

The Enterprise train service, which has provided a vital public transport link for more than 75 years, recorded record passenger journeys of over 1 million in 2022.