Denis Naughten
Ceist:1267 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the percentage increase in DART capacity in recent times; the developments over the next number of months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16684/02]
Written Answers. - Rail Services.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:1275 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the daily estimate of commuters using the DART services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16692/02]
Denis Naughten
Ceist:1276 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the progress to increase commuter capacity on DART services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16693/02]
Denis Naughten
Ceist:1277 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is examining the possibility of opening new DART stations in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16694/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1267 and 1275 to 1277, inclusive, together.
Iarnród Éireann has informed me that, over the past two years, a total of 38 new DART carriages have been delivered and are in service. The capacity of the DART system has been increased by almost 50% since 2000 as a result of the introduction of these carriages. Figures from Iarnród Éireann indicate that more than 85,000 passengers use the service on a daily basis.
The CIE board has sought my approval in recent days for the commencement of work to expand the DART as follows: upgrading the electrical power supply to increase the capacity of all trains from six to eight carriages, the lengthening of all DART platforms to cater for these longer trains (all outer suburban platforms can already handle eight carriage trains), and the construction of additional stabling sidings at Fairview. Iarnród Éireann recently placed orders for an additional 16 new DART carriages and an additional 24 carriages are planned to allow for the operation of all eight carriage trains at peak hours. All these projects are timed to deliver in 2005 an enhanced capacity of up to 16,000 passengers per hour in each direction as compared with 11,800 passengers per hour today. My Department is assessing these proposals and I hope to convey a decision on the matter shortly. Iarnród Éireann has plans to open one additional station as part of the DART expansion project.