Rail Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2004

Wednesday, 7 July 2004

Questions (273, 274)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

278 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the daily capacity of the rail commuter service from Monasterevin to Dublin via Kildare, Newbridge, Sallins and Hazelhatch; the extent to which it is envisaged that the capacity can be increased in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20845/04]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The issues of timetabling and allocation of rolling stock is a day to day operational matter for Irish Rail. However, Irish Rail has informed me that Monasterevin has three commuter morning services each day to Dublin at 0704, 0735, and 0800 with seating accommodation for approximately 800 passengers on each train. Return services to Monasterevin from Dublin in the evening are at 1735 and 1800 with seating accommodation for approximately 700 passengers on each train.

Irish Rail will shortly announce planning for the 2005 timetable and part of that process will be to review all commuter services to and from Dublin and implement any changes necessary. A further 36 diesel rail cars, identical to the 80 already in service since earlier this year, will be delivered in 2005. Some of these railcars will be used to provide further additional capacity on the Kildare route.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

279 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the daily capacity of the commuter rail service from Enfield to Dublin via Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip and Confey; the extent to which it is intended to increase these levels in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20846/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The scheduling and allocation of rail services is strictly an operational matter for Irish Rail to consider. However Irish Rail have informed me that the following services operate from Enfield:

Departing Enfield	Service	Origin	Capacity
07.19	Mondays Only	Longford	900
07.31	Tues — Friday	Longford	900
08.00	Mon — Friday	Longford	900
11.50	Mon — Friday	Enfield	600
13.13	Mon — Friday	Longford	600
14.15	Mon — Friday	Longford	600

The company also stated that platform extension work currently being undertaken at Enfield will enable longer trains with a capacity of 1,200 seats to operate on Longford services, which will call at the station from September 2004.

Any other service increases specifically for Enfield will be considered as more rolling stock becomes available and as part of the annual timetable review. In this regard, an additional 36 diesel railcars will be delivered to Irish Rail next year.