A contract securing the supply of 21 new train carriages for Northern Ireland Railways was officially signed early in
December by Translink (www.translink.co.uk) and Spanish rail manufacturer CAF (www.caf.net).

Chris Conway, Translink Group chief executive, said: “This is great news and another very exciting step in the development of Northern Ireland’s rail network.

“These new trains will help deliver the ambitions of the draft Programme for Government to increase the use of public transport and active travel.

“Passenger numbers have grown by more than 130% in the last 12 years, reaching 15 million last year — the highest figure in Northern Ireland Railways’ 50-year history.

“This followed the introduction of new rail fleet, infrastructure investment and service and timetable enhancements.

“These 21 new carriages will allow us to provide around 1,400 additional seats by operating more six-carriage trains on busy routes at key times of the day.

“With a three-year lead time, we would expect to start to take delivery of the new carriages during 2021, with the last sets planned to go into passenger service in autumn 2022.

“We are pleased to once again work in partnership with CAF after exercising an option within the original Class 4000 train procurement contract to purchase additional intermediate carriages.”