Vol. 524 No. 4
65 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the developments on the additional rolling stock for DART services; the percentage increase in people using the DART over the past ten years; the increase in the capacity of DART stock for the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22528/00]
The existing DART fleet comprises 80 carriages. Ten new additional carriages at a cost of £16 million have been delivered and four are now in service. These carriages are the first new units to be introduced to the DART since the service began in 1984.
A further 16 DART carriages have been delivered and will enter service in spring 2001 following commissioning. Twelve DART carriages are on order, to be delivered late in 2001 or early in 2002, with an option for a further 36 carriages.
This programme of investment in the DART fleet is being cofunded by the Government and the European Union. There has been no increase in capacity since DART was introduced in 1984, but the combination of delivered carriages and confirmed orders will increase capacity by almost 50%. Daily DART passenger numbers have increased by approximately 267% from 30,000 passengers in 1984 to over 80,000 at present.
Question No. 66 taken with Question No. 8.
Question No. 67 taken with Question No. 41.
