Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which north Kildare rail commuters can expect enhanced and improved services in the future, given the demographic trends and the need for the public to have confidence in the transport system in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22322/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport in Ireland, including in relation to the rail network. The National Transport Authority, or NTA, has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ programme and commuter rail in County Kildare.
The DART+ programme will modernise and improve existing rail services in the Greater Dublin Area, by electrifying the lines and purchasing new rolling stock among other work. The expansion will create a connected and electrified rail network for the Greater Dublin Area, increasing the network from circa 50km to 150km and doubling city centre capacity from 26,000 passengers per hour per direction to 52,000 during peak hours.
The DART+ programme comprises five different projects in and around the Greater Dublin Area and eastern region, including:
• DART+ Fleet: a ten-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric fleet;
• DART+ West: extension of DART services from the City Centre to M3 Parkway and Maynooth;
• DART+ South West: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge;
• DART+ Coastal North: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to Drogheda;
• DART+ Coastal South: improvement of current DART services from Dublin city centre to Greystones.
In December 2021 the Government approved the Preliminary Business Case for the DART+ Programme, as well as providing Decision Gate 1 approval for DART+ West and Decision Gate 3 approval for a fleet framework agreement between Irish Rail and Alstom. This Decision Gate 1 approval enabled the submission of a Railway Order application for the DART+ West project in July 2022, and an Oral Hearing for the project was held in September/October 2023.
DART+ West will enable an extension of electrified rail lines to Maynooth and will include a new DART depot facility west of Maynooth for the maintenance and parking of trains. These interventions will enable higher capacity and higher frequency services from Dublin City centre to Maynooth.
Government approval in 2021 also permitted the purchase of 95 DART carriages under the fleet framework agreement, which are expected to enter service by 2026. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of fleet under the framework, which will see 90 new battery-electric multiple units arrive in 2026 or early 2027.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
