Vol. 574 No. 3
224 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport when the capacity of the Maynooth Suburban Rail Line will increase by 25% as advised in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1088 of 30 September 2003; if Iarnród Éireann will examine the possibility of bringing forward the upgrading of the signalling system in the city centre between Connolly and Pearse stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26975/03]
Iarnród Éireann is taking delivery of 80 new diesel railcars, 76 of which are for use on all Dublin suburban services, including the Maynooth line. The 25% increase in capacity on the Maynooth line will be achieved in the coming weeks and, as a result, peak capacity will be increased from 3,300 to 4,200 passengers on the route. The new railcars will also facilitate the withdrawal of old carriages and lengthening of trains.
225 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport when capacity on the Kildare Arrow route will increase by 130% as indicated in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1087 of 30 September 2003; the plans in place to further increase capacity on the route under the Kildare Arrow route project; the improvements planned; the cost of same; the timetable for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26976/03]
I understand from Iarnród Éireann that there will be an additional 30% in peak hour capacity on the Kildare suburban rail corridor within the coming weeks. Platform extension work at the stations along the route and a new turnback facility at Newbridge will be completed in time to facilitate longer trains and additional services. There will also be additional Portlaoise-Heuston and Newbridge-Heuston peak period services.
In this regard, I want to correct for the record of the House, my reply to Question No. 1087 of 30 September 2003. In that reply an increase in capacity of 130% was indicated when, in fact, it should have indicated "130% of existing capacity will be provided".
Further increases in the frequency of services are dependent on increasing track capacity. Iarnród Éireann is considering a plan to quadruple a section of the route between Cherry Orchard and Hazelhatch, as part of the Heuston Station and south west rail corridor development. This is expected to cost approximately €135 million and could take a number of years to complete. I have not yet received the company's specific proposals in this regard.
