Denis Naughten
Question:635 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to introduce high speed trains on the major intercity routes; the timescale envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15866/03]
Written Answers. - Rail Services.
The operation of rail services is a day-to-day matter for Irish Rail. However, under the investment programme being undertaken by Irish Rail under the national development plan, involving the upgrading of infrastructure and the acquisition of new rolling stock, faster journey times and increased service frequency will result on the intercity services.
It is expected that the new 67 mainline rail carriages that have been ordered for intercity routes will be operational in 2006. These new mainline rail carriages will primarily replace stock more than 30 years old within the Irish Rail fleet. The intention is that the new rolling stock will primarily be used on the Dublin to Cork line with carriages from that line cascaded onto other lines. The increased operational flexibility associated with the new rolling stock will allow an increase in frequency with one additional service each way between Dublin and Cork and an additional service each way between Galway and Dublin.
The removal of permanent speed restrictions along the main Cork to Dublin route will lead to significant journey time savings. It is envisaged that the removal of these speed restrictions and the benefit gained from continuous welded track on this line will bring a reduction in journey times of up to 31 minutes by 2008. It is envisaged that the Limerick line will achieve a journey time reduction of 20 minutes over the same time period.
The Galway to Dublin line is expected to have a 25 minute reduction by 2008. The relaying of this line with continuous welded trackwork is now complete and five minute time savings have already been achieved on the journey to Dublin. Further improvements are expected when construction works in Heuston Station are completed this year. The journey from Tralee to Dublin is expected to be reduced by 40 minutes by 2008 and Sligo and Westport will see journey times shorten by 20 to 30 minutes by 2008.