Hourly Dublin-Belfast train service a boost for Louth
The new Enterprise hourly rail service between Dublin and Belfast will stop at Drogheda and Dundalk stations, a Louth Labour TD has confirmed.
In correspondence with Deputy Ged Nash TD, Irish Rail has confirmed that the Enterprise service which it runs along with Northern Ireland’s Translink, will become an hourly service by the end of this year and will have scheduled stops at Drogheda and Dundalk stations.
Deputy Nash said: “I’m delighted to confirm that both Drogheda and Dundalk will be scheduled stops on this new hourly commuter service which is set to be a game-changer for those commuting south to Dublin or north to Belfast.
“Irish Rail assures me that it is working with Translink to deliver the new hourly schedule by the end of the year.
“The two rail companies aim to enhance the popular Enterprise service with a recent allocation of funding from the Shared Island Fund.”
The Louth Labour TD said: “The Enterprise service is already a popular one for Drogheda and Dundalk commuters and I’m delighted they will be able to benefit fully from the enhanced service that will be available by the end of the year.”
Deputy Nash added: “My long campaign to have Drogheda included in the Dublin Commuter Zone finally came to fruition earlier this year and that means that Drogheda commuters should also benefit from lower fares on the new route, when travelling to Dublin.”
Labour candidate for Dundalk and Carlingford in the upcoming Local Elections, Jamie O’Hare also welcomed the news and said it would come as a huge boost for commuters from Dundalk.
He said: “This is a welcome move both for local commuters and the local business community and will provide a huge boost to cross-border trade.
“I’m delighted that Dundalk commuters will benefit from the increased frequency on the Enterprise service and hope that this is just a first step in improving public transport links for the north-east.
“This will make the daily grind of commuting to Dublin from Dundalk far more convenient for people and if combined with Labour’s policy of introducing €9 monthly commuter tickets, it could serve to radically reduce car journeys from Dundalk to Dublin.”