Dubliners will be travelling on electric Darts at some point next year, the Department of Transport has confirmed. 

The electrification of public transport is central to meeting the Government’s targets of cutting carbon emissions in half by 2030. 

According to the NTA, half of all rail journeys in Ireland take place on the Dart and the number of passengers increased by 11% last year.

Electric Dart

On The Pat Kenny Show, Minister of State for Transport Seán Canney, the Government is prepared to invest significant amounts of capital in decarbonisation. 

“We have brought in some electric trains,” he said. 

“They’re in test mode at the moment for the Dublin railway network, they will be in operation next year. 

“We’re moving towards having a carbon neutral transport for rail; it’s exciting but there’s a hell of a lot of money to be spent.” 

A Dart train at Connolly Train Station. Picture by: Alamy.com.

In 2023, the All Island Rail Review was published, recommending a significant expansion of the rail network on both sides of the border. 

Minister Canney said the Government is still carrying out cost analysis on the various proposals. 

“There are eight major projects set out in All Island Rail Review and then there are a number of other smaller projects like passing loops to increase frequency of trains,” he said. 

“I think we are right now, we are developing Ceannt Station in Galway, it’s €60 million plus to increase the number of platforms that are there to increase the number of trains that come in and to have a better experience for the passenger. 

“Cork has undergone major changes, as has Limerick.” 

Into the west

Minister Canney added that rail connections in the West of Ireland are an “immediate priority” and that he hoped one day that trains would return to Donegal. 

“The case is there for a connection to be made, to bring it into Derry from Sligo,” he said. 

“We have one other project which we have to do as an immediate project, [which] is to connect Claremorris and Athenry, so that we have connectivity between Ballina, Westport and Castlebar, Claremorris, down into Tuam, Athenry, down into Limerick, down into Cork, over to Waterford Port.

“To create that Atlantic Rail Corridor that is necessary and extend it northwards into Derry.” 

The Government has also said plans for the construction of a Cork Luas could be signed off on later this year.

Main image: An electric DART. Picture by: Newstalk