COMMENT
NI Railways investment supporting passenger growth
Clive Bradberry, Infrastructure Executive at Translink NI, discusses Northern Ireland’s new rolling stock, timetable and other improvements.
T
ranslink NI Railways introduced a new train timetable in January this year following the roll-out of 20 new Class 4000 trains into passenger service. The new trains have already started to deliver a step-change in service reliability, improved accessibility and will support continued rail passenger growth in Northern Ireland.
In 2011/12, Translink NI Railways recorded its highest-ever passenger numbers with 10.7 million journeys made on local train services – an increase of over 70% in the last decade. The latest independent research also shows that Translink customers continue to rate local rail services very highly – NI Railways achieved 100% ‘on time’ scores for the second consecutive monitor and beat reliability targets.
This impressive trend shows no sign of slowing down with a range of signifi cant developments in rail infrastructure, technology and services securing a bright future for train travel in the country.
Following the successful completion of Translink’s £114m New Trains Two programme, 20 new Class 4000 trains manufactured by CAF in Zaragoza, Spain, operate alongside 23 Class 3000 trains. This modern fl eet is meeting growing passenger demand and
Translink is now in a position to offer over 20% additional seating capacity.
Responding to changing passenger expectations remains a key focus and last autumn free wi-fi was launched on all local rail services as well as cross-border Enterprise train services between Belfast and Dublin.
Value-for-money continues to be a top priority with a range of innovative products such as mLink and iLink tickets offering customers more choice and fl exibility. A new yLink card for 16-23 year olds provides a third-off fares across Translink bus and rail services along with attractive retail and leisure discounts.
To maximise the potential of the modern fl eet, Translink remains committed to rail network renewal with the fi rst phase of work to upgrade the Coleraine – Londonderry rail line scheduled for completion this spring.
Translink has been appointed offi cial transport partner for the Derry~Londonderry 2013 UK City of Culture year and the completion of phase one work will ensure that rail travel is a viable and attractive option for visitors to the north west of Northern Ireland during such a prestigious year-long events calendar.
The route itself was described by travel writer Michael Palin as ‘one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world’ travelling through the breath-taking cliffs at Downhill featuring Ireland’s longest railway tunnels.
Phase two of this upgrade work will then be completed following the Derry~Londonderry 2013 City of Culture celebrations. The work will enable services to operate between Londonderry and Coleraine for the next 30 years, maintaining high safety standards and reducing any future maintenance costs.
In addition, £3.6m, £2.3m and £1.3m
investment projects are also underway at Portadown, Antrim and Ballymoney railway stations respectively. Antrim will become Northern Ireland’s fi rst sustainable station incorporating environmental features such as roof-mounted solar panels, a grey water harvesting system and a naturally insulated ‘green’ roof.
Funding for this project was secured by both Northern Ireland’s Department for Regional Development and the INTERREG IVB North West Europe (NWE) fi nancial scheme and forms part of the ‘SusStation’ Achieving Sustainable Stations Project.
means
Several associated projects are underway in line with the new Class 4000 trains’ arrival to ensure infrastructure is in place to accommodate the new fl eet. Platforms are being extended at 19 stations and halts across the network to accommodate longer trains, enhancing on-board capacity.
i More stories like this at:
www.railtechnologymagazine.com/ rail-service-improvements-and-disruptions
14 | rail technology magazine Feb/Mar 13
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