Transport | The extent to which north Kildare rail commuters can expect enhanced and improved services in the future
QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which north Kildare rail commuters can expect enhanced and improved services in the future given the demographic trends and the need for the public to have confidence in the transport system in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The DART+ Programme, which is in development, will provide frequent, modern, electrified services to Drogheda on the Northern Line (DART+ Coastal North), Hazelhatch – Celbridge on the Kildare Line (DART+ South West), Maynooth and M3 Parkway on the Maynooth/Sligo Line (DART+ West), while improving DART services on the South-East Line as far south as Greystones (DART+ Coastal South).
DART+ West and DART+ South West projects are currently with An Board Pleanála for consideration of the Railway Order applications.
In respect of the potential further extensions of services westwards, please note that the an extension of the DART westwards to Kilcock on the Maynooth/ Sligo Line and Sallins and Naas on the Kildare Line has been included as an objective in the new Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042 adopted last year. These will be developed as separate follow-on projects. It was not possible to advance these extensions as part of the current DART+ Programme, as the previous transport strategy had set Hazelhatch and Maynooth as the extent of the electrification. The further extensions will also require additional funding under the current National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2030, and therefore they may have to await for the mid-term review of the NDP, which we currently anticipate will take place in 2025.
Please note that Irish Rail announced timetable changes at the end of 2023 which included some additional services on the Kildare Line which will benefit customers using Sallins and Naas and Hazelhatch and Celbridge train stations. More information on the recent timetable changes can be found at the link below. Pleas also note that a public consultation on a new timetable is expected to commence shortly by Irish Rail.
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