To ask the Minister for Infrastructure why three carriage trains, with limited capacity, are continuing to be used on the Portadown line during peak times, despite assurances from Translink that six carriage trains would be in place.

This issue is an operational matter for Translink. I have sought the requested information and can confirm that NI Railways operate a total of 16 services in the Belfast direction prior to 0900 hours from Monday through to Friday. Out of these, four services are operated by trains with 6 or 8 carriages, the remaining 12 services are operated by 3 carriages. The current railway timetable has over 50 services that utilise 6 or 8 car trains operational on the Portadown corridor each day, compared with 20 before the Belfast Grand Station opened. All the available NI Railways fleet are in service during the peak periods.

For any future queries relating to operational matters, you should contact Translink directly at aqw.request@translink.co.uk. Making direct contact with Translink will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of limited public resources.