Gay Mitchell
Question:111 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to develop the Dublin rail service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18310/02]
Written Answers. - Rail Services.
Damien English
Question:145 Mr. English asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to develop the rail service in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18311/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 145 together.
The current framework for development of rail services in the greater Dublin area is set out in the National Development Plan 2000-2006 and A Platform for Change, the Dublin Transportation Office Strategy for 2000-2016. Over the last number of years there have been significant developments in rail-based public transport in the greater Dublin area, and further enhancements are also planned. Progress to date includes a 50% increase in DART capacity as a result of the introduction of 38 additional DART cars, and 100% increase in the capacity of the Maynooth line as a result of doubling of the track and provision of additional carriages.
Over the next two years, it is anticipated that morning peak capacity will have increased on key rail commuter lines from 30,000 in 2000 to 47,000 in 2003. This will be achieved through the following planned investment: Entry into service of 80 additional diesel railcars, the first batch of which will be delivered next month; €117 million investment in Heuston Station between March 2002 and mid 2003 to provide four additional platforms, a signalling system upgrade, and increased track capacity which will enable the station to handle extra mainline and commuter trains, particularly at peak times; Kildare line upgrade to enable a 130% increase in peak hour suburban capacity by end 2003. An additional programme of investment is being developed for investment in suburban rail for the period beyond 2003 in respect of the DART upgrade, Maynooth and Kildare lines, which will further expand rail capacity to meet the needs of the greater Dublin area. In addition, commencement of Luas services will provide passenger capacity of approximately 13,000 per direction per hour. Finally, the proposed metro, as envisaged in A Platform for Change, will have a major role in alleviating congestion by providing higher public transport capacity that offers an attractive alternative to the private car. I look forward to receiving the outline business case for the first phase of the metro from the Rail Procurement Agency shortly.