Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
754. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the total number of new DART carriages ordered to date under the DART programme, including the most recent order announced in December 2025, the total capital investment committed, and the breakdown of carriages by order batch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1924/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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, made up of 57 five-carriage trains.
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.
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.
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.
