Derek McDowell
Question:140 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans she has to improve the DART service on the northside of Dublin; and if she will direct that extra DART carriages be used at peak times. [4729/01]
Written Answers. - Rail Services.
I have no function in relation to this matter. It is a day to day matter for the board of Iarnród Éireann. However, Iarnród Éireann informs me that it introduced a new DART service to Malahide in mid December last, following the placing into service of ten additional DART carriages. In addition, some DART trains have been increased from four to six carriages. All available DART carriages are in use at peak times. The position will improve further at the end of April when a further 16 new DART carriages are commissioned. In the meantime, additional drivers will have been recruited and trained which will enhance reliability. In all, there will be an increase of almost 30% in DART capacity, compared to November last.
To cater for general growth in demand for DART services over the coming years, the national development plan provides for a further 12 new DART carriages to be delivered to Iarnród Éireann in the last quarter of this year, which, when operational in late Spring 2002, will result in an increase in the capacity of DART services by over 40% in the period since November last. In addition, Iarnród Éireann has an option on a further 36 new DART carriages. Plans are in hand to extend all DART platforms to accommodate eight carriage trains. Iarnród Éireann has in recent days submitted to me proposals for a major investment project to increase the frequency of trains on the northern suburban rail network by providing enhanced signalling, all eight car trains, improved power supply on the overhead power lines and the upgrading of the current two track system to three tracks. These proposals are now being examined.