22/04/2002

Stormont reception for Spanish train supplier

A reception to mark the signing of contracts to supply 23 new trains to Northern Ireland Railways by Spanish company CAF, has been co-hosted by Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson, MP, and Chairman of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, Joan Smyth.

Señor Felix Martinez, the Deputy Spanish Ambassador to London, Señor Jose Baztarrica, Chief Executive of CAF, as well as other senior CAF officials, and a number of local MLAs, also attended the reception held in Stormont on Monday, April 21.

Speaking at the event Mr Robinson said: “This is a very special occasion for Northern Ireland Railways and one which I am delighted to be associated with. We do not often purchase new trains and to my knowledge this order for 23 train sets is the single largest order ever placed by Northern Ireland Railways.

“The scale of this commitment is a welcome investment in our public transport infrastructure and is long overdue.

“The travelling public has undoubtedly been aware that standards of passenger comfort and the reliability of our trains in Northern Ireland is not what we would wish. This investment in new trains will, I hope, show that there is an alternative to that bleak prospect of ever increasing congestion and encourage many more people to use public transport.”

Mr Robinson said that the case for additional funding for transport was compelling and added that he hoped the Regional Transportation Strategy case for additional funding for Transport would be presented to the Assembly before the summer recess.

(MB)

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