Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 June 2016
630. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to electrify public transport services; his plans to reduce the carbon intensity of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14613/16]
View answerMeasures being considered to reduce the carbon intensity of transport to form Ireland's transport sectorial GHG emissions mitigation plan will be wide-ranging and will focus on modal shift, switching to alternative fuels and behavioural change. Public transport projects and investment will form part of this multifaceted response to mitigation from the transport sector.
To date, considerable progress has been achieved through measures aimed at promoting improved technologies and changing travel behaviour. With regard to Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, a range of energy efficiency measures, including eco-driving, bus and network priority programmes and fleet replacement, have delivered significant fuel savings. Irish Rail has also introduced a range of measures, including train configuration changes and traction control software on the DART network.
The DART electric rail system has been in operation from Greystones to Howth and Portmarnock since 1983,and was extended to Malahide in 2000. A further expansion of the DART is planned as far as Balbriggan on the Northern line, Maynooth on the Sligo Line and Hazelhatch on the Kildare line. We are also committed to the further development of electric fuelled public transport, particularly along the high demand routes in the GDA, e.g. the completion of the Luas Cross City project expanding the electrified LUAS network and planning for new Metro North, construction of which is due to commence in 2021.
