Written Answers. - Rail Network.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:
289
Mr. Sargent
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
if she will have investigations made into the way in which promises of improvements by Iarnród Éireann on the northern suburban rail line have now turned out to be disimprovements to the new timetable operational from 18 December 2000; and the measures she will take to ensure a more regular service to meet demands.
[1062/01]
Nora Owen
Ceist:
312
Mrs. Owen
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
if she has had discussions with Iarnród Éireann concerning the unsatisfactory nature of the railway service from Drogheda to Dublin, particularly since the introduction of the DART service from Malahide to Dublin; and if she has discussed the provision of additional resources to Iarnród Éireann in order that they can upgrade this vital commuter link.
[2274/01]
Nora Owen
Ceist:
313
Mrs. Owen
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
the progress that has been made on the examination of the extension of the DART train service to Balbriggan in north County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[2277/01]
Nora Owen
Ceist:
314
Mrs. Owen
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
if she will make resources available to Iarnród Éireann in order that the platforms along the rail line between Malahide and Connolly Station can be extended to allow more DART carriages to be added to the train, increasing its capacity, particularly during peak hours.
[2278/01]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 289, 312, 313 and 314 together.
I have no statutory function in relation to operational matters which are a day-to-day function of the board of Iarnród Éireann. However, Iarnród Éireann informs me that it introduced a new DART service to Malahide in mid-December last, following the placing into service of ten additional DART carriages. As a consequence, a revised timetable for all services on the northern suburban lines was introduced. Following the introduction of the new timetable, I received numerous complaints from Iarnród Éireann customers.
I raised these concerns with Iarnród Éireann and was informed by the company that there are capacity constraints in relation to the frequency of trains which can safely use the rail track network on the northern suburban rail line into the city centre. The maximum safety limit on this line is 12 trains per track per hour.
To accommodate the DART service to Malahide, Iarnród Éireann informs me they had to reschedule their services to and from Drogheda and Howth. To offset the impact of the changes in schedule, some DART trains have been increased from four to six carriages, thus providing extra capacity. This position will improve further at the end of April when a further 16 new DART carriages are commissioned. In the meantime, additional drivers will have been recruited and trained which will enhance reliability. In all, there will be an increase of almost 30% DART capacity, compared with November last.
Iarnród Éireann has advised me that it has experienced a 15% to 20% increase in passenger carryings since the new timetable was introduced but acknowledges that there has been some inconvenience to some customers. In response, it has met local public representatives, local groups and customers to look at ways of addressing the concerns raised. I understand it is now planning some further adjustments to timetables for these customers in response to these concerns and these should be announced shortly.
Iarnród Éireann also acknowledges the need for better communications with their customers at the time of changes in service and in the event of disruption and are committed to a renewed customer focus as developments take place in these services in the period ahead. There will be enhanced capacity provided for customers on the northern line over the coming months. To cater for general growth in demand for these services over the coming years, the national development plan provides for a further 12 new DART carriages to be delivered to Iarnród Éireann in the last quarter of this year which, when operational in late Spring 2002, will result in an increase in the capacity of DART services by over 40% in the period since November last. In addition, Iarnród Éireann has an option on a further 36 new DART carriages. It has also ordered 60 new diesel Arrow carriages which are due for delivery in 2002 and 2003, to be financed under the national development plan. These new carriages will be used to provide increased capacity on northern suburban rail services by allowing a lengthening of suburban trains. Iarnród Éireann has separately contracted for a further 20 Arrow carriages. All northern suburban rail platforms, apart from the DART stations, can accommodate eight carriage trains. Plans are in hand to extend all DART platforms to accommodate eight carriage trains. Plans are also at an advanced stage in Iarnród Éireann for a major investment project to increase the frequency of trains on the northern suburban rail network by providing enhanced signalling, all eight car trains, improved power supply on the overhead power lines and the upgrading of the current two track system to three tracks. I have asked Iarnród Éireann to accelerate the submission to me of all its proposals for the upgrade of services on the northern suburban line.
