The Department of Transport has approved a major new investment in Dublin’s rail network with an order for 100 energy-efficient DART carriages, marking the latest step in the long-term renewal of the fleet that has served commuters since the system first opened in 1984.
This newest order follows two earlier procurement rounds and brings total Government spending on new electric DART trains to approximately €670 million. The investment reflects growing passenger demand and forms a central part of the wider DART+ Programme, which aims to significantly expand rail capacity across the Greater Dublin Area.
Under the first order, 95 new carriages are scheduled to begin entering service from the first half of 2027. These trains will primarily operate on the Dublin to Drogheda line. A second order of 90 carriages is due to follow from 2028, further strengthening the network.
The most recent order, valued at €173.9 million, will replace the original DART fleet currently operating on the busy coastal route between Greystones and Malahide/Howth. Once delivered, the total number of new DART carriages ordered will reach 285, forming 57 modern five-carriage trainsets.
The contract has been awarded to international rail manufacturer Alstom. The purchase is being delivered by Iarnród Éireann on behalf of the National Transport Authority (NTA), which is overseeing the modernisation of public transport infrastructure nationwide.
Chief Executive of the NTA, Anne Shaw, said the new trains would ensure the DART continues to provide a high-quality, sustainable transport option. She noted that the upgraded fleet would improve service efficiency while also enhancing reliability, accessibility and passenger comfort.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien described the rollout as a key milestone in preparing the rail network for future growth. He said the new carriages would help guarantee a dependable and environmentally friendly DART service as the Government progresses with the wider DART+ expansion.
Passenger demand on the DART network continues to reach new highs. It is estimated that at least 23 million journeys will be made on existing DART services between Greystones and Malahide/Howth in 2025, the highest annual figure recorded to date.
All of the new carriages will add capacity across the rail network as part of the DART+ Programme. When fully delivered, the programme, which covers DART+ West, South West, Coastal North and Coastal South, will double rail capacity across the greater Dublin area, according to the Department of Transport.
