Ireland’s government has approved the procurement of 41 additional rail carriages to increase capacity across the Greater Dublin Area rail network.
Estimated at EUR 150 million, the new rail cars will enter services by 2021, providing a 34% increased capacity at peak times across the Kildare, Maynooth and Northern lines.
The additional carriages will be used with the existing intercity rolling stock fleet resulting in longer train sets which can be used across the Dublin commuter network, as well as providing additional services on the Maynooth and Northern lines.
The project will be delivered by Iarnród Éireann and overseen by the National Transport Authority with funding provided as part of Project Ireland 2040.
Under the 2040 strategy, Iarnród Éireann intends to renew its fleet by procuring up to 600 rail cars. The company estimates a historic record of 50 million passenger journeys by the end of 2019.
“At a time when more and more commuters are switching to rail, this order of 41 additional carriages will bring a welcome boost in capacity for some of our busiest commuter routes,” Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, said.
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