- To accommodate an estimated 34 million passengers per year

- 17 minutes journey time from the city centre to Dublin Airport

- 26 minutes journey time from St Stephens Green to Swords

- Trains every four minutes

Transport Minister, Mr Martin Cullen, T.D. has today (Thursday, 19 October 2006) announced details under the Governments Transport 21 investment programme of the selected route for the new Metro line which will run from Dublin city centre to north of Swords in County Dublin.  The 17-kilometre route, known as Metro North, was chosen under specific evaluation criteria and following a detailed Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) public consultation, which involved the consideration of four possible route options.

Using underground, surface and elevated tracks, Metro North will operate from St Stephens Green, via Dublin Airport, to the north of Swords in the vicinity of Lissenhall.  An estimated 34 million passengers a year will travel on this service, with trains every four minutes, increasing to every 90 seconds as the demand builds.  The journey time from St Stephens Green to Dublin Airport will be 17 minutes.

Metro North will have 15 stops available for passengers who want to make the journey from the city centre to the airport and beyond.  These will be located at St Stephens Green, OConnell Bridge, Parnell Square (possible stop), Mater Hospital, Drumcondra, Griffith Avenue, Dublin City University, Ballymun, Santry Demense, Metropark, Dublin Airport, Nevinstown, Swords, Seatown and Lissenhall.

Speaking this morning, Minister Cullen, T.D. said: Investment in public transport is a critical element of Government policy for the greater Dublin area and I am very pleased today to announce this next major step in making the Metro a reality the selection of the route for Metro North. Having a Metro for the people of Dublin and visitors to the city is a key component in the overall public transport network that we propose to develop as part of Transport 21. With Metro North we will have a new travel experience for business and leisure commuters. Metro will offer a higher capacity than the Luas - as the trains will be longer and faster.  This Government continues to provide a modern and efficient transport system that encourages people to take public transport rather than the private car for journeys in and around the city.  

The Minister also added: Metro North is not just an airport link.  It is an important commuter link for the communities and the institutions of north Dublin city and county.   By developing Metro North and Metro West; by extending the Luas network, by providing greater capacity on the DART and suburban rail network and by increasing significantly bus capacity, the annual number of public transport passenger journeys in Dublin will almost double.    With an overall budget of over €34 billion, Transport 21 is largest investment ever committed to by any Government in the history of this State.

The next step in the Metro project will involve work on progressing the design of the route and stations and the preparation of a Railway Order application by the RPA.  

Editors notes:

The first phase of public consultation to select the route for Metro North commenced in February 2006.  The consultation carried out by the RPA, concerned three potential routes;

The views of the public and key stakeholders were sought on the three routes, as well as any other options which stakeholders considered relevant.    As a response to strong feedback during the initial public consultation, a second public consultation was launched on a fourth route option, a combination of the East and Central routes;

During the consultation process, over 2,500 written responses were received and significant engagement took place with residents' groups, statutory bodies, business associations and other key stakeholders through a series of open days and direct meetings. 

Each route was evaluated by the RPA with respect to the following published objectives: Compliance with transport and land-use strategy; Minimising environmental impacts including congestion and associated pollution problems; Generating social and economic benefits; Delivering good quality transport integration; Optimising capital and operating costs; Delivering a safe and operationally efficient system and achieving efficiency and minimising risk during construction.

ENDS