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Dublin - Belfast Train

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  • 29-07-2020 4:20pm
    #1
    The_Fitz
    Registered Users Posts: 329 ✭✭


    Haven't got the train since lockdown, how does the seating arrangement work? Heading up on Friday, booked my ticket online but it said that there's no allocated seat.

    Is it like the Dublin busses, with stuff covering seats you can't use?


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    #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    The_Fitz wrote: »
    Haven't got the train since lockdown, how does the seating arrangement work? Heading up on Friday, booked my ticket online but it said that there's no allocated seat.

    Is it like the Dublin busses, with stuff covering seats you can't use?

    Got the train to Galway a few weeks back. There's a sticker on 3 out of the 4 seats, and only 1 person sitting at each table of four. I'd imagine, the Enterprise is similar.


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    #3
    bikeman1
    Registered Users Posts: 1,258 ✭✭✭bikeman1


    Deleted User wrote:
    Got the train to Galway a few weeks back. There's a sticker on 3 out of the 4 seats, and only 1 person sitting at each table of four. I'd imagine, the Enterprise is similar.


    It is now only every second seat that is blocked off. That's on Irish Rail. The Enterprise may be different with it being a joint operation with TransLink NIR


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    #4
    The_Fitz
    Registered Users Posts: 329 ✭✭The_Fitz


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Got the train to Galway a few weeks back. There's a sticker on 3 out of the 4 seats, and only 1 person sitting at each table of four. I'd imagine, the Enterprise is similar.

    Just wondering how they cope if there's more people than seats. Although the fact that I've not ventured anywhere really since lockdown means that it'll probably be empty.


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    #5
    zzantara
    Registered Users Posts: 95 ✭✭zzantara


    I traveled on the Dublin/Belfast Enterprise train both ways recently.
    Contrary to what other posters have said it's not the same as other Irish Rail routes, it's jointly run by Translink ( NI Railways) and Irish Rail.
    I'm not sure if it was coincidental but both legs that I traveled on were operated by Translink so they were operating to NI Covid Rules .
    There was no seating blocked off and face masks were few and far between, it was "sit where you like " although most people tended to give each other space.
    Remember it's also used as a Commuter Train between Newry/Portadown and Belfast.
    I transferred to an Irish Rail Train and the difference was noticeable, blocked off seating and the vast majority wearing masks, I suppose it's "different jurisdictions - different rules "??
    It's a very pleasant and efficient journey.


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    #6
    The_Fitz
    Registered Users Posts: 329 ✭✭The_Fitz


    zzantara wrote: »
    I traveled on the Dublin/Belfast Enterprise train both ways recently.
    Contrary to what other posters have said it's not the same as other Irish Rail routes, it's jointly run by Translink ( NI Railways) and Irish Rail.
    I'm not sure if it was coincidental but both legs that I traveled on were operated by Translink so they were operating to NI Covid Rules .
    There was no seating blocked off and face masks were few and far between, it was "sit where you like " although most people tended to give each other space.
    Remember it's also used as a Commuter Train between Newry/Portadown and Belfast.
    I transferred to an Irish Rail Train and the difference was noticeable, blocked off seating and the vast majority wearing masks, I suppose it's "different jurisdictions - different rules "??
    It's a very pleasant and efficient journey.

    Grand - so bounce and and sit wherever then? Was it busy?


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    #7
    zzantara
    Registered Users Posts: 95 ✭✭zzantara


    With commuters from Newry /Portadown ---about 50% full, same on return, before and after Newry about 30%.


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    #8
    Credit Checker Moose
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,226 ✭✭✭Credit Checker Moose


    Do you need any ID/Passport etc to use the Belfast train?


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    #9
    punisher5112
    Registered Users Posts: 24,647 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    Credit Checker Moose wrote: »
    Do you need any ID/Passport etc to use the Belfast train?

    Yes you should have ID


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    #10
    tnegun
    Registered Users Posts: 1,724 ✭✭✭tnegun


    A presume a group of 4 travel together can sit together?


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    #11
    _Kaiser_
    Registered Users Posts: 28,664 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    Credit Checker Moose wrote: »
    Do you need any ID/Passport etc to use the Belfast train?
    punisher5112 wrote: »
    Yes you should have ID

    I used it at the start of the year and don't remember being asked for ID, even though I'd have had it on me anyway?


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    #12
    punisher5112
    Registered Users Posts: 24,647 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    _Kaiser_ wrote: »
    I used it at the start of the year and don't remember being asked for ID, even though I'd have had it on me anyway?

    Doesn't have to be a passport but you must have valid ID which would be a licence, pps card etc...


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    #13
    Hilly Bill
    Registered Users Posts: 6,039 ✭✭✭Hilly Bill


    The_Fitz wrote: »
    Haven't got the train since lockdown, how does the seating arrangement work? Heading up on Friday, booked my ticket online but it said that there's no allocated seat.

    Is it like the Dublin busses, with stuff covering seats you can't use?

    Normal seating .


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    #14
    Hilly Bill
    Registered Users Posts: 6,039 ✭✭✭Hilly Bill


    The_Fitz wrote: »
    Grand - so bounce and and sit wherever then? Was it busy?

    Friday was busy.


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    #15
    zzantara
    Registered Users Posts: 95 ✭✭zzantara


    I've never been asked for ID/4 can sit together.


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    #16
    The_Fitz
    Registered Users Posts: 329 ✭✭The_Fitz


    Credit Checker Moose wrote: »
    Do you need any ID/Passport etc to use the Belfast train?

    No.

    Well have got it a lot of times and never been asked for one. Not sure if recommended or not.


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    #17
    The_Fitz
    Registered Users Posts: 329 ✭✭The_Fitz


    Was up and down on it at the weekend and they have the seats marked off that you can't sit on with the same marking (looks to me) that are on Dublin bus. Friday the train was rammed and only one person in my carriage not wearing a mask, an oul lady.


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    #18
    thenightman
    Registered Users Posts: 561 ✭✭✭thenightman


    I'm hopefully (all things covid related staying ok) heading up to Belfast for a 2 night mini break the end of August and was thinking of getting the train up. 40e return on train vs 20 with Bus Éireann. Just wondering if train is worth it over the bus in terms of comfort/journey time? I'm staying in Belfast City Centre, so both bus station and train are close to my hotel.


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    #19
    The_Fitz
    Registered Users Posts: 329 ✭✭The_Fitz


    thenightman wrote: »
    I'm hopefully (all things covid related staying ok) heading up to Belfast for a 2 night mini break the end of August and was thinking of getting the train up. 40e return on train vs 20 with Bus Éireann. Just wondering if train is worth it over the bus in terms of comfort/journey time? I'm staying in Belfast City Centre, so both bus station and train are close to my hotel.

    I get the train because it's handy for me to be picked up with the station being a little bit out of the centre. The train is nice and comfortable, can have a swally on it.

    Bus is a bit quicker though and drops ye right in the centre.


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    #20
    thenightman
    Registered Users Posts: 561 ✭✭✭thenightman


    The_Fitz wrote: »
    I get the train because it's handy for me to be picked up with the station being a little bit out of the centre. The train is nice and comfortable, can have a swally on it.

    Bus is a bit quicker though and drops ye right in the centre.


    I think I'll go with the train, just to give myself the illusion of going somewhere far away. Was supposed to be in Japan the last 2 weeks of August, so Enterprise will have to substitute for bullet train in these strange times!


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    #21
    Louche Lad
    Registered Users Posts: 1,088 ✭✭✭Louche Lad


    Credit Checker Moose wrote: »
    Do you need any ID/Passport etc to use the Belfast train?

    I've used it 30-40 times, never been asked for ID (I keep my passport card on me at all times anyway).


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