Watch: The first Enterprise train testing takes place at Belfast Grand Central Station
Rail services have officially begun to depart from Belfast’s Grand Central station this morning as the Infrastructure Minister hailed it a “significant step in the development of our public transport offer”.
It follows weeks of delays in confirming when the services would begin.
This morning, the first train to pull out from Grand Central Station was an Enterprise service to Dublin departing at 8.05am and the first train arriving was the 8.30am from Portadown.
An hourly Enterprise service between Belfast and Dublin is planned to start on Tuesday October 29.
Belfast’s £340 million Grand Central Station formally opened on September 8, with bus services moving from the Europa Bus Station to the new station at Weavers Cross.
Today’s ceremony also marked the reopening of the rail line between Belfast and Lisburn – meaning passengers no longer require a bus substitution.
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd arrives on one of the first trains into Belfast Grand Central Station this morning is welcomed by Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway. Picture by Brian Morrison.
Speaking at the event, the Sinn Fein’s John O’Dowd said: “This is another significant step in the development of our public transport offer.
“I am delighted that rail services have started from Grand Central Station. The re-opening of the rail line between Lisburn and Belfast is good news for the thousands of commuters and cross border passengers who use this route.
“Belfast Grand Central Station is the largest transport facility on the island of Ireland with the capacity to cater for 20 million passenger journeys a year. With eight rail platforms and 26 bus stands this new facility demonstrates how infrastructure can transform and make a difference.
“Many people have been working tirelessly to get us to this point today and I thank them all. Most of all I would like to thank the public for their patience while we carried out the important rail safety authorisation process which was vital in making today a reality.”
Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive added: “The commencement of rail services at Belfast Grand Central is a significant milestone in the transformation of public transport in Northern Ireland, providing integrated services which connect people and place.
“The first Enterprise departure at 8.05am today was a truly historic moment, marking the start of rail services at this iconic new facility and the return of cross border rail services to the heart of the city.
“With new rail timetables in place and many new features at the station including new ticket gates, we would encourage passengers to plan ahead and build in a bit of extra time for your journey until you familiarise yourself with the new station.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in getting us to this historic milestone and express my thanks to all our passengers, community and stakeholders for your patience throughout this work.”