Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2004
221 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Transport when the necessary funding will be provided to upgrade the Waterford to Dublin train lines to permit the provision of additional train services; if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns of commuters in relation to the present service on the line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33368/04]
View answerI am informed by Irish Rail that the renewal of track and signalling on the Waterford to Dublin line was completed earlier this year with the support of Exchequer funding. All track work along the route is now continuous welded track. All this investment has laid an excellent foundation for further improvements to services along the route. Already Irish Rail has reduced the journey time on the route significantly and I am informed by the company that, from yesterday, there is an additional service from Heuston to Carlow, servicing Athy, leaving Dublin at 19.45 hours.
The next step is to provide new rolling stock on the route. Irish Rail has recently submitted proposals to my Department for funding for the purchase of a fleet of 120 intercity railcars to operate on its intercity network. The provision of these new trains will allow Irish Rail to offer two-hourly services on all intercity routes from December 2007. Additional frequencies and better connections will also be provided over the entire intercity network as a result.
