The public are being asked for their opinions on a new DART Plus system that will treble passenger capacity from Maynooth to Dublin City Centre.
Minister Eamon Ryan has opened the first round of consultation on the project, which will run on the Kildare and M3 Parkway lines.
Irish Rail is also planning to run 15 trains there within four years, as opposed to the current 7. Construction is due to begin in 2022 and it's hoped that will be finished by 2024.
Speaking at today’s announcement, Minister Ryan said: “The first phase, DART+ West will have a hugely positive impact, not just at its terminal points in Maynooth and Dunboyne, but in areas like Glasnevin, Broombridge, Pelletstown, Ashtown, Castleknock, Coolmine, Clonsilla, and Leixlip, all of which will now be on an integrated, electrified, fast and reliable, rail network. If we are serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions – and I know I am – this is precisely the kind of project that should be happening.”
The expansion programme aims to double peak-hour capacity from 26,000 passengers an hour in each direction to 52,000 an hour per direction by 2028, with more trains and new stations, to create a “full metropolitan area Dart network for Dublin” the NTA said.
All are encouraged to review the full details at www.irishrail.ie/DARTMaynooth or contact the project team via phone or email.
