Vol. 555 No. 3
225 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if there will be extra resources allocated from his Department to Drogheda in consideration of the massive population increase that now makes Drogheda the largest town in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18550/02]
Significant progress continues to be made on the roll out of the national development plan and towns like Drogheda within the Dublin commuter belt are benefiting from this major investment in public transport.
Bus Éireann has taken delivery of 74 new buses to provide for commuter services in the Greater Dublin area. Half hourly commuter services off peak and fifteen minute peak commuter services were introduced on the Drogheda to Dublin route last year. Additional town services have also been introduced and the Drogheda bus station has undergone refurbishment recently.
Iarnród Éireann will shortly begin to take delivery of a fleet of 80 new diesel railcars for use on the Dublin outer suburban rail services including the Drogheda services. These additional railcars will allow further increases in capacity and frequency of services particularly at peak hours.
