DOT Announce new trains

[Derek Wheeler]

From DOT website.

Cullen announces funding of €78 million for 33 new intercity railcars to service Athlone, Portlaoise and Carlow


2 March 2007
The Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen T.D. has announced today (Friday 2 March 2007) that he has approved Government funding under Transport 21, of €78 million for new intercity railcars to service Athlone, Portlaoise and Carlow.

Speaking today, the Minister said: "I am delighted to announce that I have approved funding for the acquisition of a further 33 intercity railcars by Iarnród Éireann. These new railcars, which are just the latest in a number of recent orders by Iarnród Éireann, will further improve the quality of rail transport in Ireland. It is a further step in the complete renewal of the railway infrastructure and rolling stock that has been taking place over the past number of years".

The acquisition by Iarnród Éireann of the 33 intercity railcars follows entry into service of 67 carriages (at a cost of €117 million) that are currently providing hourly services on the Dublin - Cork route. In addition, the first of an earlier order of one hundred and fifty new intercity railcars costing €322 million, are due to arrive from Korea into Ireland next week.

The 33 intercity railcars will be used on the outer Dublin commuter belt serving the fast-growing towns of Portlaoise, Athlone and Carlow and will replace the existing Mark 111 Push Pull fleet with a modern fleet of intercity railcars that will come into service in 2008. These 33 railcars will also be manufactured in Korea.

Minister Cullen added: "These 33 new intercity railcars, combined with the Kildare Route Project - which will double the tracks from two to four from Hazelhatch to Cherry Orchard - will lead to a more efficient use of lines, more comfort and greater reliability of service for commuters".

The Minister also said: "I am pleased that as a result of this purchase of 33 railcars, seat capacity on these important routes i.e. to Athlone, Portlaoise and Carlow, will increase by 40%, which should encourage more people to leave their cars behind and to use public transport, which by its very nature is sustainable, to get to and from work. I understand that Iarnród Éireann is also looking at opportunities to increase parking spaces at a number of the stations on these routes".

The Minister concluded: "With entry into service of a total of 183 new intercity railcars, starting to come on stream this year, Iarnród Éireann's intercity fleet under Transport 21, will be a modern high quality fleet comparable with the best in the world".