The vision for rail is clear

Through the existing investment programme, and the strategic vision under the All-Island Strategic Rail Review (AISRR), the way ahead is clear says Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann.

The publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in 2024 has provided a clear way forward for the development and expansion of the island of Ireland’s rail network and services over the next quarter century.

However, the most exciting aspect about this framework is that the core focus of it is already underway.

Our vision of being the backbone of Ireland’s sustainable transport network has rapidly moved, with the support of Government and the National Transport Authority, into delivery mode.

Right now, the five major cities in the country have projects underway which will deliver material benefit for customers and communities between now and 48 months hence, as well as key national programmes. Behind those, a firm pipeline of projects are in development to enable us move from a record passenger total of 50.7 million journeys in 2024 to 80 million journeys in 2030.

DART+ Programme

Glimpses of the future are on track, with the first ten carriages – made up of two five-carriage trains – of 185 carriages of the new DART+ fleet delivered and in testing. The detailed testing and regulatory approval process is underway, to ensure our customers will travel on this new flagship fleet for the Dublin area from 2026.

The fleet order is an integral part of DART+, an investment which will see double the passenger capacity and treble the electrification across all Greater Dublin Area rail services.

National network

Our new National Train Control Centre at Heuston Station has been completed with train control systems being developed for commissioning from 2025 to deliver more efficient train management across the network and to cater for the expanded network and services.

Planning for a new Navan rail line, and procurement for a new Dublin/Belfast Enterprise fleet, has also begun.

Regional cities

Under the EU-funded Recovery and Resilience Plan, Iarnród Éireann is trebling the Cork commuter rail network’s capacity through:

• developing a new through platform at Kent Station;
• double-tracking Glounthaune to Midleton; and
• resignalling the Cork commuter network.

The new platform is open, and all three elements will be complete by 2026.

The planning process for the next phase of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Network is underway, to support a Railway Order application for eight new commuter stations, a new fleet maintenance depot, and the electrification of the Cork network.

In Galway, funding under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) includes:

• investment for a 1km section of second track and a new platform at the existing Oranmore Train Station, allowing the busy commuter link between Athenry and Galway to grow/; and
• regeneration of Ceannt Station as part of a major Galway City Council Transport Connectivity project, with works to be completed in 2026.

In Limerick, the city’s new transportation hub centred on Colbert Station will boost services. Plans for new stations at Moyross and Ballysimon are currently progressing, and capacity studies are underway for Limerick Junction to Limerick to Ennis.

Waterford’s Plunkett Station is being relocated to be part of an integrated transport hub under plans to develop the city’s North Quays.

Rail Freight and Rosslare Euro-port

Iarnród Éireann’s Rail Freight 2040 Strategy is on track.

Works to reinstate the Limerick to Foynes rail line for freight services are underway following funding from the Department of Transport, a clear commitment to the goals of Rail Freight 2040, with a 2026 completion date planned. Up to 400 new wagons will also be ordered, with a first order of 150 placed in recent weeks.

Iarnród Éireann is also Port Authority for Rosslare Europort, and its status as Ireland’s Gateway to Europe has been confirmed with 36 services operating directly between the Port and Europe each week.

As well as investment in the Port Masterplan, the OPW’s Project T7 for a permanent Border Control Post, and the new TII N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road, an ambitious €200 million plan to become Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Energy Hub, with the port uniquely placed to support the development of the industry in the Celtic and Irish Seas.

All-Island Strategic Rail Review

And that is just what iºs happening now. We are developing the priorities to deliver the ambition of the AISRR, an agenda that will see:

• the rail network route length increase from circa 2,300km to almost 3,000km with the reopening of former and new rail lines;
• new routes in the North Midlands and North West, 700,000 more people would live within 5km of a railway station;
• more passengers, almost tripling the number of people using the rail system annually; and
• electrification and alternative fuels for a sustainable transport network

Our journey to our sustainable future is to a destination which will benefit our country, our environment, our communities, and our society as a whole, everyone is welcome on board.

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