Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
199. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the additional 49 rail carriages ordered in October 2019 to service numerous commuter routes including the northern commuter line will be delivered and in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19587/20]
View answerAs Minister I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and delivery of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, development of the railway network including the purchase of rolling stock.
As the Deputy is aware last year Government approved the purchase of 41 additional InterCity Rail Cars (ICRs) and I understand that the first units are expected to arrive by the end of 2021 with all units expected to be delivered over a 9 to 12 month period.
These additional ICRs will add significant capacity to the overall network and will add approximately 20% additional peak-time capacity on the Northern Line as compared to previously. As well as lengthening existing train sets the new ICRs will also potentially allow for a reconfiguration of services such that up to two new morning peak services could be introduced on the Northern Line.
I look forward to the arrival of these new carriages and the extra capacity they will add to the public transport network.
