That is essentially indicative of Northern Ireland's inadequate rail system. Annual data on public spending on services throughout the UK's regions and countries is produced by the Treasury.

In 2022, Northern Ireland spent £193 per person on public transport, whereas Wales spent £299 and England and Scotland spent almost £465.

Stormont provides some funding to Translink, the company that oversees all of Northern Ireland's bus and rail services.

The island of Ireland's rail network is set to be expanded in an ambitious manner.

Restoring lines, adding new stations, and increasing intercity services are among the recommendations made in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was released last month. That would need a significant adjustment to the way Stormont distributes its funding for infrastructure.

Over a 25-year period, it would mean spending more than £300 million a year (at today's costs), which is almost £50 million more than is now allocated to public transport infrastructure.

Based on Dr. Eoin Magennis, principal economist at Ulster University's Economic Policy Centre, that would be "do-able" but would need a strong political commitment.

According to him, the investment may contribute to the Executive's other economic goals, which include access to quality employment, decarbonisation, and regional balance.

The review's all-island scope will also need a significant financial commitment from the Irish government.

It is perhaps in a better position than at any other point since the Irish state's founding to provide that investment.