Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 November 2019
13. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the extra carriages planned for 2021 will be provided for the northern line; the way in which the carriages will impact on frequency; if the existing platform infrastructure is capable of servicing extra carriages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48150/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that the 41 additional InterCity Railcars recently approved by Government will benefit Northern Line commuters, as well as commuters on the Maynooth and Kildare Lines.
As the Deputy is aware Government has approved this project which will provide a 34% increase to capacity across the GDA commuter rail network in advance of the much bigger increases which will be delivered under the DART Expansion Programme.
This increase in capacity will be provided principally through lengthening existing trainsets, but also through providing some additional services. I am not aware of any infrastructure works required as a result of the proposal, although the overall project cost does include compatability works associated with the integration of the new carriages with the existing rail fleet.
I understand final contracts will be exchanged in the next few weeks and as the Deputy has already referred to, delivery will commence by late 2021.
The specific benefits for Northern Line commuters are considerable with a projected 20% increase in capacity once the project is completed. As mentioned some of this additional capacity will be delivered through moving current 5-car sets to 6-car sets or other extended configurations.
However the Northern Line will also benefit through the provision of two new additional services in the morning peak, which will be very welcome to those commuters who rely on the Line to get into work each morning.
As the Deputy is also aware, this is an intermediate measure ahead of a much bigger expansion of services on the Northern Line which will be delivered through the DART Expansion Programme. That Programme will see a massive expansion of fleet through the purchase of a minimum of 300 battery-electric or electric units, with the potential for that to increase to 600 units over a ten-year period, while the Programme will also electrify the Northern Line as far north as Drogheda.
These are all very welcome developments and I look forward to their implementation.
