Appointment of DART Consultants
Irish Rail appoint consultants to commence DART+ Coastal design
Irish Rail have appointmented Arup as design consultants for the DART+ Coastal route from Drogheda to Greystones, according to Fergus O’Dowd, TD.
“Work is in progress now for electrification of the line from Malahide to Drogheda, the upgrade of infrastructure to increase frequency of services and modifications to the Drogheda Depot.
“Irish Rail will be introducing a hybrid electric-battery fleet which will enable the commencement of DART services to Drogheda in advance of the full electrification of the line, the fleet would operate using the overhead power line when available, but can also operate long distances on battery power only where the line is not electrified. The overall DART+ Programme will be the single biggest investment in the rail network ever.
“Increased capacity and shorter waiting times, especially at rush hours, will make a huge difference to the life of commuters. It would also be hugely advantageous to motorists who are currently choosing to drive to Dublin due to overcrowding and delays on the train, cutting commuting times and hours lost spent in traffic.