Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
88. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if it is intended as part of the strategic rail review to carry out an examination of the relationship between frequency of service and passenger numbers on regional rail services internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30329/22]
View answer115. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the strategic rail review for the north west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30747/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 115 together.
The Strategic Rail Review, which is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland), will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades. This will be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years providing a framework to develop an improved rail network for our future.
The Review will consider all issues in relation to inter-urban and inter-regional rail connectivity, including the potential for high-/higher speed(s) and improved connectivity to the North West.
It will also consider the potential scope for improved rail services along various existing and potential future corridors of the network, and that scope will also include the potential afforded by disused and closed lines.
As per the Terms of Reference, the Review will provide a broad and comprehensive strategy for passenger operations, considering issues such as multimodality, fare structures, payment systems, passenger information, multi-modal interchange, and potential business opportunities.
It will also focus in on a small number of agreed case studies to elaborate the main findings in more detail, explaining where successful systems have been delivered or where solutions have struggled to deliver the intended benefits, describing the underlying context in those locations and indicating lessons for future system planning.
The Review is ongoing, and I expect to receive a final report later this year.
