DART
Introduction
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Problems of commuting to and from the city centre mean we are all now faced with having to allow more time travelling in order to reach our destination timely, regardless of the mode of transport used.
A number of factors have contributed to the current situation
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When the Dart service commenced in 1984, 80 carriages were then used to carry approximately 35,000 daily users:
- No extra carriages were added to the fleet over a 16 year period
- The number of daily commuters has now reached 80,000 daily, most travelling during the set pattern of working hours. The current DART system is struggling to meet such a peaked demand
- Following the Dublin Transport Initiative Report 1994 and the Strategic Planning Guidelines 1999 it has been widely accepted sustainable development in the greater Dublin area is only possible through major investments in public transport
Based on Iarnrod Eireann’s short term development plan a number of DART projects costing approx £75m have been undertaken through the assistance of Exchequer and E.U. Funding:
- Completion of DART extension to Greystones and Malahide
- 26 new DART carriages in service since May 2001
- Real time electronic information system installed at Stations.
- Most peak services operated as 6 carriage trains
- New station opened at Grand Canal Dock
- A range of station improvements including extension of ‘park and ride’ facilities
Additional peak capacity provided is being quickly utilised. Indications are that demand will continue to grow up to 2016, however potential for increasing peak capacity any further on the system is limited without significant investment. The major limiting factor hindering increased capacity is rail congestion in the city centre area.
This year, funding for a further major development, the DART and Suburban Enhancement Project (DASH), was approved at a cost of €170M. The major work involved in this project will commence this year and is due for completion in 2005. This development will allow further capacity increases and involves:
- Platform and power supply upgrades to enable the operation of 8-carriage trains
- Improved station infrastructure to enable the safe accommodation of increased customer flows
- Provision of additional access facilities for mobility impaired customers
- Delivery of storage facilities for the increases in carriages numbers. .
Information about this project is available at www.irishrail.ie/dash
Along with the DASH Project, additional DART and outer suburban carriages will be added to our fleet to facilitate the operation of 8-carriage trains.