Emer Higgins
Question:74. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport to examine the possibility of increasing weekend services on the Adamstown train line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34556/23]
View answerWednesday, 12 July 2023
Questions (74)
Written answers
As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation and provision of public transport services.
In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, I have been advised by Iarnród Éireann that its operational fleet is fully deployed on scheduled services at present, in line with prevailing demand. The current capacity is primarily based on pre-COVID demand levels, when rapid growth in demand resulted in the utilisation of 100% of the operational fleet at peak times.
However, it is the case that additional and/or cascaded fleet will become available over the next 24months and the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann are considering options for their deployment on the network.
The deployment of new carriages is a matter in the first instance for Iarnród Éireann in consultation with the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has statutory responsibility for the development and delivery of certain public transport infrastructure, including the purchase of rolling stock.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51