Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 June 2006
63 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the conditions which prevail on many commuter trains; if he has requested Irish Rail to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21953/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Iarnród Éireann that demand for rail travel on Iarnród Éireann's commuter routes is currently increasing at between 5% and 10% per annum. In response to this rise in demand for services a significant increase in rail capacity and frequency has been provided on commuter rail services in recent years.
For example, total passenger capacity of the fleet has increased on the DART service from 14,000 to nearly 27,000 and on suburban rail services in Dublin area from approximately 7,000 to over 26,000 over the period 2000-2005.
Total capacity will be increased further by a number of development projects provided for under Transport 21 including: — The Kildare Route Project, involving the four-tracking of a critical section of the Kildare line between Cherry Orchard and Hazelhatch, which will allow separation of long distance and commuter services and improve speed and capacity for commuter, regional and intercity services. Subject to the outcome of the Railway Order process, construction work on the project will begin towards the end of 2006 and is due for completion at the end of 2010, — The introduction of 67 new carriages into service this year on the Dublin-Cork line will increase service frequency by year-end to an hourly service. Capacity will increase in line with that. — The introduction of 150 railcars into service over the period 2007/2008 on the remainder of the intercity routes will allow the redeployment of commuter railcars to the busiest commuter routes. — The construction of the new Docklands railway station which will allow for an increase in services on the Western line and also cater for services on the proposed Dunboyne/Navan rail link once that is operational. — The construction of the Cork-Midleton line which will provide a commuter rail service from Mallow to Midleton, through Cork City with an initial frequency of 30 minutes increasing to 15 minutes as demand grows.
These development projects, together with the investment in suburban rail and DART services in recent years in the Dublin area, will result in significant increases in the quantity and quality of commuter and intercity rail services.
