Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy today opened the new Translink NI Railways engineering depot which is located at Adelaide in South Belfast.

Costing around £28 million, the facility has been constructed to maintain the Translink NI Railways fleet of 20 new Class 4000 trains which were recently introduced on the railways network as well as the Class 3000 trains.

Minister Kennedy said: "This new building is one of the components of the New Trains Two programme for which my Department and the Executive provided funding of some £150million investment.

"The programme delivered the purchase of the 20 new trains and the extension of around 20 platforms on the railways network to accommodate the new trains. Our aim is to deliver a high quality, accessible and comfortable public transport system and in doing so make it more attractive for people to use buses and trains.

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"I believe we are delivering on this aim and the facts speak for themselves. Last year nearly 11 million passengers travelled by rail. This is the highest level recorded since 1967 and represents over 70% growth since 2002. I would encourage everyone to try public transport and see for themselves just how easy, affordable and hassle-free it can be."

The existing train cleaning and maintenance facilities based at York Road and Fortwilliam in Belfast are operating at, or near to, full capacity and there was a clear need for a new Train Maintenance facility to accommodate the Class 4000 fleet.

Included in the new facilities at Adelaide will be:

•An Engineering Depot.

•Re - fuelling facility.

•Train Wash.

•Train stabling facilities.

•Material storage area.

•Staff Accommodation facilities.

Graham's Construction was appointed as the contractor and work started on site in April 2011.

(CD)