A landmark contract has been signed by Iarnród Éireann and Translink with leading Swiss manufacturer Stadler for a new fleet of eight state-of-the-art Intercity trains for the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise service.
This major £548m / €698m cross border investment for new fleet and associated infrastructure, is jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Executive, Department for movies theaters Infrastructure and the Government of Ireland, Department of Transport, and supported with €165m through PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the European Union, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Due for delivery late 2028, the new Intercity trains – based on Stadler’s proven FLIRT platform - have been purpose designed for the Enterprise route and will deliver a major step change in comfort and customer experience. With around 400 seats, the fleet features include:
• Accessibility has been prioritised through step free interiors and 100% unaided boarding at every exterior door, making this among the most accessible Intercity fleets in Europe;
• Enhanced customer facilities including modern digital derek chisora information systems, power sockets and USB charging points, improved luggage and bike storage;
• A premium Enterprise Plus section, and a spacious dining and bar area.
The new Enterprise fleet will also be Ireland’s first tri mode trains, capable of operating on electric, diesel, and battery power. This will reduce emissions, enable quieter journeys, and ensure seamless operation as the Belfast–Dublin line transitions toward full electrification.
With improved acceleration meteo brescia and performance of the fleet and associated infrastructure development, this project will support a target express journey time of under two hours.
The trains will also support expansion to up to 16 services per direction daily, strengthening long-term cross-border economic, cultural and social connectivity.
