Translink Easter weekend rail service updates amid essential engineering works

Translink has confirmed that most rail services across Northern Ireland will operate as normal over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, though some routes will face disruptions due to planned engineering works.

The transport operator has advised passengers to plan their journeys in advance to avoid inconvenience.

According to Translink, rail services on several key routes, including the Bangor line, Larne line, Belfast to Lisburn, Belfast to Antrim, and Coleraine to Derry~Londonderry and Portrush lines, will remain unaffected and fully operational throughout the holiday period.

However, essential maintenance work will impact services on specific routes, with bus substitutions arranged to ensure connectivity.

On Good Friday and Saturday, engineering works will close the line between Antrim and Coleraine, while the Belfast to Dublin route will be affected from Saturday through to Easter Monday.

Translink has arranged bus services to replace trains during these closures, ensuring passengers can still complete their journeys.

A Translink spokesperson explained that the works are part of a routine maintenance programme designed to uphold the safety and reliability of Northern Ireland’s rail network.

“These are normal planned engineering works, carefully scheduled to coincide with the Easter holiday when passenger numbers are typically lower,” the spokesperson said. “We thank our customers for their patience as we work to maintain and protect our rail infrastructure, delivering a modern and reliable service.”

The maintenance on the cross-border Belfast-Dublin line has been coordinated with Irish Rail, which is also undertaking essential works in the Republic of Ireland over the same period.

Passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys using Translink’s Journey Planner app or by visiting the operator’s website at www.translink.co.uk. For further assistance, the Translink Contact Centre is available at 028 9066 6630.

The operator has urged travellers to check schedules in advance to account for bus substitutions and any potential changes to journey times.