From the Department of Transport.
Minister announces Plans for Major Expansion of Rail Fleet and Retiring of Older Rolling Stock
BRENNAN SAYS NEW RAIL CUSTOMER TIMETABLE WILL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE CAPACITY AND EXPAND SERVICES
The Minister for Transport, Séamus Brennan T.D. today (Friday, 28th November 2003) announced a special allocation of almost ¤40 million to accelerate the purchase by Iarnród Éireann of additional new rolling stock and the taking out of service within three years of the older engines and carriages.
Minister Brennan said this latest investment would further boost what is presently the largest and most significant rail replacement programme ever undertaken in the history of the State. The modernisation of the Irish rail fleet is well advanced and between now and 2006 more than 220 brand new railcars and carriages will be in service, providing high quality transport facilities in terms of reliability, comfort and safety.
He said the massive investment in modern rolling stock will significantly increase capacity and the frequency of services on suburban and long distance commuter routes. Under the historic replacement programme currently underway:-
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80 new diesel railcars will be in service by January 2004
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36 additional diesel railcars will be delivered by 2005
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67 new InterCity carriages will be in service by late 2005-early 2006
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40 new DART carriages will be delivered in 2005.
The Minister unveiled details of the latest public transport investment initiative when launching the new Iarnród Éireann extended timetable for rail customers in Connolly Station, Dublin. The revised timetable will result in the significant expansion of services for customers on commuter, inter-city and regional rail lines.
Minister Brennan said the extra allocation would result in a further major expansion of Iarnród Éireanns rail commuter fleet to meet increasing demand. The funding award of ¤38 million allows Iarnród Éireann to proceed with negotiations for the manufacture and delivery of 36 new diesel railcars, make further payments on rolling stock being manufactured, the upgrading of stations and modernisation of signalling systems.
Minister Brennan said the 36 DMUs (Diesel Multiple Units) will be in addition to the 80 new railcars, most of which have already been delivered and all of which will be in service by January 2004. The 36 railcars will be delivered and go into service in 2005.
As the 116 (80 + 36) new rail cars come into service, the 64 carriages of 1963 vintage and many of the 1969-72 vintage will be taken out of regular service and will be used only when particular circumstances, such as major sports fixtures, require them to meet the demands of occasional once-off large gatherings.
Minister Brennan said: "Since 1999 well over ¤1 billion has been invested in upgrading the railways by replacing tracks, improving signalling and making level crossings safer. That work was essential but it had little visible impact on services for the travelling public. Now, however, we are entering the era of delivery and rail customers are beginning to enjoy the benefits of what is the largest rail replacement programme ever undertaken in the history of the State. The result, as is reflected in the new rail timetable, will be significant expansion in capacity on trains and increases in the frequency of services. I want to see even more investment in new rolling stock so that within a few years we have one of, if not the, most modern rail fleet in the world."
Minister Brennan added: "Investment in the railways is at historically high levels. However, investment alone will not bring about the changes in attitude needed to get more people out of their cars and onto trains. We must deliver a quality of service that is second to none. Trains must be on time, clean and comfortable and passengers must be assured of a customer friendly service that provides up to date information using the latest technology, modern facilities at stations, integrated ticketing and adequate park and ride facilities. I recently signed a Service Level Agreement with Iarnród Éireann that commits the company to meeting specific performance standards. From now on I am expecting the company to at least meet those standards, if not exceed them".
The new timetable comes into effect on 14th December and will be followed by further improvements in the future. The significant improvements in services are listed in the following page.
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Further information:
Tom Rowley (01) 6041089 087 8124723
Veronica Scanlan (01) 6041087 087 6430622
Dublin Commuter Services
The major improvement in Commuter services stems from the introduction of 80 class 2900 new CAF railcar vehicles based at Drogheda. Their introduction to service will provide the following benefits to passengers:
Kildare Route
- Approximately 33% increase in capacity on most Kildare Commuter services.
- Additional Portlaoise-Heuston and Newbridge-Heuston peak period services.
- Overall, this will more than double the commuter capacity on this route.
Drogheda Route
- Capacity increases up to 40% on some peak period services
- Improved off-peak service frequency all stations Drogheda-Connolly
Maynooth Route
- Capacity increases up to 25% on peak period services
- Additional Maynooth evening peak service to clear current hour gap between 16.15 hrs and 17.15 hrs.
- Two additional Connolly-Longford services in off-peak in each direction.
Arklow Route
The morning and evening peak service for commuters from Arklow and Wicklow will operate from and to Gorey in the new timetable, offering commuting potential from Gorey to Dublin for the first time.
InterCity Services
Greater use of all currently available rolling stock has enabled the following improvements to InterCity services in the new timetable:
Galway Route
An additional Dublin-Galway service departing Heuston at 09.40 hrs and returning at 13.05 hrs from Galway increases services on this route from five to six trains each weekday in each direction.
Waterford Route
An additional Dublin-Waterford service departing Heuston at 09.30 hrs and returning at 13.10 hrs from Waterford increases services on this route from four to five trains each weekday in each direction.
Limerick Route
An additional Dublin-Limerick direct service will depart Heuston each weekday at 14.00 hrs returning from Limerick at 17.35hrs. (This train formerly operated on Fridays and Saturdays only)
Regional Services
More frequent local services particularly around Cork and Limerick are to be introduced as follows:
Mallow-Cork-Cobh Route
Additional local services on this route will increase the frequency in both the peak and off-peak providing an excellent local service for City of Cork.
Ennis-Limerick-Limerick Junction
An increase from just two to seven trains per day in each direction between Ennis and Limerick will significantly increase the usefulness of this regional route for customers in Limerick and Clare. Some services will also operate through to Limerick Junction offering InterCity connections for Dublin and Cork.
More carriages on order
- 40 new DART cars
- 67 new InterCity carriages and
- an order for an additional 36 Commuter Railcars is also under consideration
Improvements in Customer Service / Communication
- Contract details are just being finalised for the procurement and installation of a modern state-of-the-art Interactive Voice Recognition system. When in operation in mid 2004 this will replace the existing Talking Timetable system and will have the facility to provide customers with timetable and fares information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Plans are also well in hand to introduce, early in the new year, a text messaging service to provide real time DART timetable information to customers via their mobile phones. In addition, the first phase of the new on-line ticket sales and reservations system will go live next year.
BUSRAGE Discussions » Rail
Press Release: Plans for Expansion of Rail Fleet
(2 posts)-
Posted 5 years ago #
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Puff Puff Puff......"Within the next THREE years...etc"
And not a mention of a new Locomotive....?
How did Old Mr B manage to get the Service Delivery Contract negotiated and signed so quietly...????
Most unlike him.....?Posted 5 years ago #
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