A new ticketing and travel initiative between coach operator Dublin Express and Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail was launched today, Monday 16th October. For the first time, passengers can travel to Dublin Airport by rail or bus from all over the country by booking just one seamless ticket. 

Thanks to a new ticketing agreement, people travelling from all rail destinations to Heuston can buy their tickets online with Irish Rail and have the option of adding an onward connecting bus journey from Heuston Station to Dublin Airport with Dublin Express.

Following a successful trial, sales of joint rail and bus tickets between Heuston Station and Dublin Airport have increased almost four-fold in just three months. Dublin Express, part of National Express Limited - the UK’s largest coach operator, will be extending this shortly to all services to Connolly Station taking in services from stations like Sligo, Belfast, Rosslare Europort, Northern, Maynooth Commuter services and those on the DART line.

John Boughton, Managing Director of National Express Ireland, said: “There’s clearly a demand for high quality, sustainable and stress-free travel from Irish consumers.  More and more people are opting for quality public transport services and this service delivers just that.

“Our partnership with Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail is just one of the ways we can help people travel conveniently and affordably.  We estimate 33% of airport travellers will use public transport this year and this will only increase in the years to come. Not only will it help cut thousands of car journeys from Irish roads, towns and cities, it will also help to cut carbon emissions and help us fulfil our climate action targets as a nation.”

Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail, Jim Meade said: “As a public transport provider we are passionate about promoting the use of public transport. This partnership with National Express enables more and more people to choose a sustainable, seamless and convenient transport option when travelling into Heuston and onwards to Dublin Airport. The passenger numbers released today show that thousands of people are already opting to use this service and I believe that these numbers will continue to grow and grow.”

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.dublinexpress.ie or www.irishrail.ie.