The recently published National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027 sets out the Government capital investment priorities for the coming decade. Many transport investments that we intend to undertake nationwide within that 10-year period will be to protect the quality and value of our existing rail-based networks and also the delivery of heavy rail, DART, light rail and metro-based programmes and underlying projects, all to provide additional capacity. Planning of the large projects (e.g. DART Expansion and MetroLink) is now underway and they are scheduled for delivery progressively over the life-time of the 10-year NDP. Meanwhile, in the shorter term, various measures and schemes are being taken to ensure more efficient functioning of the rail networks and the provision of additional capacity. These measures, involving the National Transport Authority (NTA), agencies and railway operators, are as follows:
- Completion of the city centre re-signalling project, which allows more train movements across critical parts of the rail network and thereby allows for more and quicker services;
- From September 2018, the recently opened Kildare route Phoenix Park tunnel services to Docklands will be extended to off-peak periods, as well as peak periods;
- Currently a contract is underway to introduce 28 carriages to re-enter service in 2019;
- Later this year, an all-day 10 minute DART service will be introduced across all lines;
- Planning for the delivery of the DART Expansion Programme will commence, including, in 2018; beginning the procurement to expand the DART rail fleet; progress the electrification of, the Northern rail line as far as Balbriggan; beginning work on the Maynooth line;
- Investment in new train fleet, including a planned move to hybrid diesel-electric trains that can run on both the electrified and non-electrified parts of the rail network and thereby allow passenger services to be upgraded earlier (e.g. introducing higher frequency timetables) without having to wait until the electrification project is fully completed;
- Luas-related measures will be implemented to provide additional capacity; A new timetable will be published in June to make best use of the new 55-metre trams that have been introduced with Luas Cross City and also a shuttle service between Heuston and Connolly on the Red Line.
- It is intended to add further additional Green Line Luas Capacity, by lengthening the 26 existing trams from 43m to 55m. The first extended tram will come online in late 2019, and the final by late 2021. Beyond that it is intended that a further 8 new 55m trams will be delivered and introduced into service.
All this planned investment, short, medium and long-term, combined will add greatly to the level of service available for the travelling public, connecting more people with more places, easing congestion and combatting climate change.
