ALL SOUTHSIDE STATIONS UPGRADED TO ACCOMMODATE 8-CARRIAGE DART TRAINS

The Minister for Transport, Séamus Brennan T.D. today (Wednesday, 28^th July 2004) said that capacity on the DART and other commuter rail services will grow by over 30%, from 11,800 to 16,000 customers per hour in each direction, from the second half of 2005.

Minister Brennan was speaking in Dun Laoghaire where he inspected the completion of the first phase of the major €176 million upgrade of DART  services. All Southside stations have now been extended to accommodate 8-carriage DARTs and the associated overhead electrical wiring works have also been renewed.

The Minister also announced that €80 million is being spent on 40 new DART cars that will, when in service, complete the doubling of the DART fleet in just four years. He said 16 of the 40 new cars have already been delivered and are being tested at present.  The remaining 24 new cars are to be delivered shortly.

We are currently investing heavily in increasing the frequency and reliability of commuter services one hour out of Dublin.  New rolling stock and improved customer relations are paramount to enhanced commuter services.  We are making good progress on developing high-speed intercity services.  We are making steady progress towards an integrated transport system.

The Minister said he was pleased that the upgrading project was proceeding on its targeted timescale, with work now switching over to the northern section of the line on Saturday, 31^st July.  All Southside station platforms are now fully rewired and upgraded to accommodate 8-carriage DARTs.  From Saturday, weekend services will resume between Pearse Street and Greystones.  Work on the northern section of the line is expected to take 10 months for completion. 

The upgrade of DART services on the Northside will commence from 31^st July and will continue for approximately 10 months, excluding the three weekends prior to Christmas. The upgrade includes extending all platforms from 6-carriage to 8-carriage length and renewing all overhead power lines. The upgrade will deliver aaccessibility at every station for people with disabilities, young children and older people and new and improved stations and customer facilities.

In addition to facilitating the operation of 8-carriage trains, the tracks will be renewed and capacity for additional services to operate from Maynooth to Connolly will be provided.

ENDS

Further information:    
Tom Rowley            (01) 6041089   087 8124723
Veronica Scanlan      (01) 6041087   087 6430622