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The Unite trade union has accused Northern Ireland public transport company Translink of “mismanagement” in overhauling the Belfast to Dublin Enterprise train service. The union claims there has been a delay in getting the trains back in service following refurbishment.
Unite regional officer Davy McMurray said the trains on the flagship service were supposed to be back in service at the end of November.
Translink said work was complete and the trains would be running next month.
Mr McMurray said: “Unite has facilitated this work in every way possible. Our members have accommodated management in terms of overtime and flexible working.
“This overrun is resulting in considerable ongoing costs which will have to come out of what is an already hard- pressed budget for public transport services.”
Substitute trains
According to the union, the Enterprise service is being run with substitute trains “mostly without first-class carriages and with a limited catering service – all of which is undermining the quality of the service offered”. Mr McMurray said Unite is “calling on management to act urgently and address this delay”.
Refurbishment
A Translink spokeswoman said the refurbishment of all Enterprise trains had been scheduled for completion by the end of 2015, with completion actually taking place on December 14th.
“The train sets are now in a period of testing and commissioning. All four sets are expected to be in passenger service by the end of February.
“All costs associated with this refurbishment programme, which is largely funded by Special European Union Programmes Body, are in line with projected budgets.
The company said that the Enterprise “remains one of our flagship services and it is our priority to complete the remainder of the work and facilitate the reintroduction of a high-quality refurbished fleet for our passengers.”
The redesign includes new livery, replacement of the passenger information system, a new electronic reservation system, security cameras and redesigned interiors. – (PA)