Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has met with Translink officials to check progress on their plans to extend rail services.

The extended services are part of the new trains' programme, an important element of Executive plans to deliver improved services for the rail user. The programme involves significant capital investment in new trains and associated projects to accommodate them. This includes better and more frequent trains, the new train care maintenance facility at Adelaide in Belfast and a series of platform extensions, as well as ensuring essential staffing resources are available to deliver improved services to passengers.

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The Minister discussed Translink's plans to extend services for rail passengers with a 20% increase in seat capacity across the network and a 11% increase in passenger miles travelled.

Following the meeting, Danny Kennedy said: "The introduction of the 20 new trains has started to deliver a step-change in service reliability and improved accessibility. In particular the Larne line is now operating with modern new trains and consistently delivering around 98% punctuality.

"The next stage will see more frequent services on the Whitehead and Coleraine lines, at least 20% additional seating capacity across the network and doubling key commuter trains from three cars to six cars. This will make rail travel in Northern Ireland even more attractive and encourage greater numbers of commuters out of their cars and onto public transport.

"Translink has confirmed they will carry out a public consultation on the detail of the service patterns by engaging with key stakeholders, passengers and the wider public. The feedback from the consultations will help finalise a new timetable."

(CD/GK)