Alan Farrell
Question:21. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the status of the introduction of battery electric train carriages to Irish rail lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1639/23]
View answerThursday, 19 January 2023
Questions (21)
Written answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the Government approved a ten-year fleet framework agreement between Iarnród Éireann and Alstom in December 2021. This allows for the purchase of up to 750 electric and battery-electric train carriages over the contract period. This contract can benefit not just the DART+ Programme but our plans for sustainable commuter rail in other cities across the rail network too.
The first order was approved alongside this framework in December 2021 and Iarnród Éireann placed an initial order for 95 carriages as part of the DART+ Programme at that time. I expect this first order of 30 electric carriages and 65 battery-electric carriages to enter into service in 2025 on the Northern Line and on the existing DART network.
In addition to this initial order of 95 carriages, last November the Government approved the purchase of a further 90 battery-electric carriages under the framework. I anticipate that these 90 carriages will be delivered in 2026. These carriages will facilitate the expansion of DART+ services to Drogheda to the north, Maynooth/M3 Parkway to the west and Celbridge/Hazelhatch to the south-west.
As these 90 carriages have the flexibility operate on both electrified and non-electrified track through the use of batteries, there is also potential to use them at some stage in the future between Greystones and Wicklow and/or for Cork Area Commuter Rail, serving communities between Mallow, Cork, Cobh and Midleton, subject to available funding for necessary supporting infrastructure.