Finian McGrath
Question:554 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the new services which will be provided over the next three years for people living in the northside of Dublin. [11368/03]
Written Answers. - Public Transport.
Iarnród Éireann informs me that it plans to increase DART train lengths to eight cars by 2005 from the current six car maximum length. This includes the purchase of a further 40 DART cars which are being manufactured. This will have increased capacity on DART services, both north and south of Dublin, by almost 100% since 2000.
The company is accepting delivery of a fleet of 80 new diesel railcars; 76 of which are due for services on outer suburban routes serving Dublin later this year. Iarnród Éireann informs me that it intends to lengthen all rush hour diesel railcars operating on the northern suburban line to eight cars upon entry into service of these units. This will have the effect of increasing capacity by 43% on the route from Dundalk and Drogheda. Services on the Maynooth to Dublin line will also benefit from the introduction of these new railcars with a 24% increase in capacity.
The development of new bus services is a matter under consideration in the context of my statement to the public transport partnership forum on 7 November 2002 on public transport reform and especially the reform of the bus market in the greater Dublin area.