Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
756. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the new DART carriages will increase overall passenger capacity on the network, including any projected increase in peak hour capacity once all ordered carriages are in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1929/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ programme.
As part of the DART+ programme, DART+ Fleet provides a ten-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric train fleet.
Three fleet orders have been placed comprising both battery-electric and electric carriages, bringing the total number of DART carriages ordered to 285.
The first order for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages, (65 battery-electric and 30 electric) have arrived in Ireland and are currently undergoing certification and safety testing. It is intended that the new battery-electric sets will be initially deployed on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda from 2027.
Part of the second order of 90 battery-electric carriages, which are planned to start entering service from 2028, will allow the commencement of the extension of the DART to Wicklow from around 2029. The NTA in consultation with Iarnród Éireann will decide where best to deploy the remainder of the second order across the DART network.
Deployment of the first and second orders will free up existing Intercity and Commuter trains for use on other routes. The location of where the redeployed fleet will be used will be determined by Iarnród Éireann in consultation with the NTA.
In December 2025, the Department funded a third fleet order for a further 100 electric DART carriages, which will fully replace the original DART fleet in service since the DART first opened in 1984. It is planned to deploy this third order of 100 electric carriages from the end of 2028.
At least 23 million passenger journeys will have been made on existing DART services from Greystones to Malahide/Howth in 2025, the highest number ever seen. Across Dublin’s commuter services – Drogheda, Maynooth/M3 Parkway, Kildare and Wicklow – a further 16 million passenger journeys are forecast for the year, also the highest ever.
The full DART+ Programme, encompassing new fleet and infrastructure works under DART+ West, South West, Coastal North and Coastal South, will double the capacity for rail services in the GDA from 26,000 passengers per hour per direction to 52,000 during peak hours.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
