Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Nov 2000

Vol. 527 No. 1

Written Answers. - Public Transport.

Seamus Kirk

Question:

63 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her Department will initiate a study to examine the efficiency of rail service and bus service from County Louth to Dublin which encompasses the economics of reopening Dunleer Railway Station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27944/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I understand that the potential for opening new railway stations, including one at Dunleer, was examined as part of the Dublin Suburban Rail Strategic Review, March 2000 commissioned by CIE and undertaken by Ove Arup consulting engineers. I am informed that the report notes that while Dunleer has potential for growth, the report indicates that the forecasted daily railway boardings for Dunleer would be modest. Nevertheless, I understand that the report recommends that the case for a new station at Dunleer should be kept under review, principally in the light of land use developments which might boost potential demand.

I am advised that Bus Éireann is currently operating a high quality, high frequency service linking Dundalk, Dunleer, Drogheda and Dublin. I understand that there are 17 departures a day between Dunleer and Dundalk and between Dunleer, Drogheda and Dublin providing connections to locations such as Dundalk Institute of Technology, Drogheda, Dublin Airport and Dublin city centre.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

64 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extent to which the passenger carrying capacity of rail services here has increased in the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27953/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

65 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the extent to which the passenger carrying capacity of Bus Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath have increased in each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27954/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.

The DART fleet has comprised 80 carriages since services commenced in 1984. Ten new carriages were recently delivered, four of these units are in service since October, a further four entered service last week, and the remaining two will be available for use by the end of year.

A further 16 carriages have also been delivered recently and will enter service in the spring of next year following commissioning. Twelve more carriages have been ordered and are due for delivery late next year and early in 2002.

As these carriages come into service, capacity will increase. The following is indicative of the anticipated increases in carrying capacity of the DART:

	Fleet	Capacity
1984-September 2000	80	14,000
October 2000	84	14,700
November 2000	90	15,750
Spring 2001	106	18,550
Summer 2003	118	20,650

Capacity on the suburban rail network did not increase substantially until this year when 20 diesel railcars were delivered to Iarnród Éireann. These carriages are undergoing commissioning at present and are expected to enter service from January 2001 and will increase capacity by 2,500 places.

The passenger carrying capacity of BAC increased by 7,235 from 67,150 places in 1997 to 74,385 places in 1999. Passenger journeys for the same period increased by 5,023 passengers, from 188,000 in 1997 to 193,023 in 1999. For the current year, it is projected that 125 additional buses will have been added to the fleet carrying approximately 10,770 more passengers than in 1999.

The road fleet of Bus Éireann increased by 19 buses, from 611 buses in 1997 to 630 buses in 1999. The passenger carrying capacity increased by 1,007 places. The frequency of service on many routes also increased.

The company also used around 190 private sector contractors per week in 1999; this increased passenger carrying capacity by a further 1,325 places.

For the current year, an additional 59 new buses have been added to the fleet, with an additional passenger carrying capacity of 2,711 places more than in 1999. The frequency of service has once again increased in 2000.