Assessment of tenders for contemporary €165m Dublin-Belfast hybrid trains occurs nearly two years following their initial issue.
The €165 million project to replace the current Enterprise trains between Dublin and Belfast is moving forward, with the tender evaluation process currently underway. The new fleet is expected to be hybrid, as the project focuses on hybrid technology for now, but a switch to fully electric trains in the future is not yet confirmed [3].
The procurement process for the new Enterprise fleet is complex, and the contract is anticipated to be awarded this year, subject to final funding approval from the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. The funding for the project was granted under the Peaceplus cross-border programme, with additional support from the Department of Transport and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland [1].
The existing Enterprise service, a joint operation between Irish Rail and Translink, has been running since 1947 and has continued throughout the Troubles. Currently, journey times range from two hours to five minutes and 21⁄4 hours, with stops in Portadown, Newry, Dundalk, and Drogheda [2].
The new hybrid trains are designed to switch between 1,500 volt and 25,000 volt power systems for different sections of the journey. It is expected that the new trains will reduce travel times to about one hour and 55 minutes [4].
Campaign group Rail Users Ireland has welcomed the plans to upgrade the Enterprise service but has also emphasised the need for the Dublin to Cork fleet to be replaced [5]. The current Enterprise trains are set to receive a short extension, with the new fleet due into service in 2029. The project aims to replace four current Enterprise trains with eight new trains, six of which will be in service, with the other two acting as backups [1].
As the tender evaluation process continues, full public consultation is required to ensure seating layouts, comfort, and accessibility issues are addressed before construction to avoid issues later [6]. Further updates can be expected once the tender evaluation is complete [3].
References:
- RailwaysAge
- Irish Examiner
- Irish Times
- Rail Technology Magazine
- Rail Users Ireland
- Irish Rail
The €165 million project for the Enterprise trains' replacement between Dublin and Belfast will require funding approval not only from the Government but also from the Northern Ireland Executive, as the procurement process involves the Department of Transport and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. This new fleet will consist of hybrid trains designed to switch between 1,500 volt and 25,000 volt power systems, aiming to reduce travel times significantly. The new trains are part of the industry project, and their financing comes from the Peaceplus cross-border programme, as well as from the finance sector through undisclosed sources. transit, fund, hybrid, finance sector
