Key towns in Fingal set to benefit from upgrades announced by Iarnród Éireann
News that construction of fast-charging facilities at Drogheda Station for new DART+ trains will commence this year has been welcomed by Fingal County Council, as delivery of the key infrastructure works will help deliver increased capacity and services for passengers.
Key towns in Fingal set to benefit from upgrades announced by Iarnród Éireann
News that construction of fast-charging facilities at Drogheda Station for new DART+ trains will commence this year has been welcomed by Fingal County Council, as delivery of the key infrastructure works will help deliver increased capacity and services for passengers.
Iarnród Éireann and the National Transport Authority have announced that the new train charging infrastructure will greatly enhance the battery-electric fleet, allowing for an expanded and emission-free service in advance of the planned electrification of the line.
The charging station contract follows an initial order of 95 DART+ carriages, which will begin operation in 2025, including 65 battery-electric carriages and 30 electric carriages.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy, believes this will prove to be a significant boost for Fingal residents: “This is a welcome breakthrough in plans to improve public transport for communities within Fingal. I am delighted that we will see both greater passenger capacity and services for our residents, and that with less emissions being produced as a result there is a strong emphasis around decarbonisation.”
The impact of such improvements will be noticeable along the line from Malahide to Drogheda and will increase options for commuters and visitors alike at key stations that include Donabate, Rush and Lusk, Skerries and Balbriggan.
Deputy Chief Executive, Ethna Felten, welcomed the new infrastructure: “This is excellent news for the people of Fingal. It goes a long way to ensuring there will be a much-improved experience on what is a busy and scenic stretch of the rail network along the coast. What’s more, this infrastructure is an important addition that not only helps facilitate sustainable modes of transport but means it will be able to meet both current demand and future growth.”
Preparations for the infrastructure are expected to commence in late 2023 and installed by the end of 2024. It is anticipated that battery-electric Dart+ trains should begin entering service in 2025.
