Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 June 2005
200 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he intends to provide for increases in the rolling stock on all commuter rail routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21510/05]
View answer204 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he has received any submissions from interested parties with a view to encouraging the use of rail and bus transport in view of the chaotic traffic situation with particular reference to County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21514/05]
View answer208 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport when he expects to be in a position to announce the higher utilisation of the rail service serving County Kildare with particular reference to encourage greater use in the rail service thereby alleviating road traffic congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21518/05]
View answer209 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the way in which he intends to increase the daily commuter capacity at the various rail stations throughout County Kildare on an individual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21519/05]
View answer210 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the way in which he intends to encourage the greater use of public transport with particular reference to the rail services for commuters using the rail stations at Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Hazelhatch, Newbridge and Kildare; the extent to which daily use can be increased and by what means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21520/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 200, 204 and 208 to 210, inclusive, together.
I refer the Deputy to my answer to parliamentary question reference number 15870/05 of 12 May 2005.
The scheduling and timetabling of rail services is a day-to-day operational matter for Iarnród Éireann to consider.
On the basis of projected demand into the future, Iarnród Éireann has submitted a greater Dublin integrated rail network plan, which proposes the enhancement of all suburban and outer suburban services into Dublin through the development of infrastructure and the acquisition of additional rolling stock. The proposals are being examined by my Department, at present, in the context of the multi-annual investment framework for transport.
Specifically in Kildare, I understand that Iarnród Éireann plans to place the majority of the new 36 diesel railcars, which will be introduced into service this year, on the Sligo-Dublin line to increase capacity and to remove older rolling stock from service. This will be of direct benefit to Maynooth passengers. The balance of the new fleet will be assigned to other outer suburban services to increase capacity on those lines. This capacity increase comes on top of a capacity increase of 24% on the Maynooth line and an increase of up to 160% on the Kildare line delivered in the past 18 months. In addition, I am still awaiting revised proposals from Iarnród Éireann in relation to four-tracking a section of the Kildare line.
