25/03/2009

NIR On Track To Roll-Out 20 New Trains

It has been confirmed today that a multi-million pound contract for a further 20 new trains has been signed by Northern Ireland Railways.

The rail manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) - based in Beasain and Zaragoza in northern Spain - officially signed the deal with Translink for the Class 4000 (C4k) trains.

The first of the trains is scheduled to be delivered in 2011 and introduced to passenger service by the end of that year. The final set will be in service by 2013.

The Minister said: "The new trains will be used to increase capacity and frequency across the railways network and to replace all of the old trains still in operation on the network.

"The success of the previous 23 new trains has been evident and passengers have experienced increased service reliability, improved accessibility and overall quality of the railways experience.

"I look forward to this experience continuing with the new trains. Northern Ireland Railways will similarly feel the benefit of having 20 more modern and efficient Rolling Stock to plan their services."

Commenting on the significant government funding, in this and other rail projects, Mr Murphy continued: "Investment of over £105million in this project signifies my Department's commitment to providing a modern, sustainable, safe transportation system which benefits all of our society, the economy and the environment, and which actively contributes to social inclusion and quality of life.

"In total, investment in rail projects by my Department in 2008/09 and over the next two years is £137million.

"This includes the purchase of the trains and a £12million project which is currently underway to extend the track life of the line between Ballymena and Coleraine."

(BMcC/JM)

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