What is DART+ Programme

The DART+ Programme will revolutionise travel in the Greater Dublin Area. It will see the DART network grow from its current 50km in length to over 150km. Bringing DART travel with all its benefits to new and existing communities.

It will promote multi modal transit, active transport, boost regional connectivity and make public transport the preferred option for more and more people. The DART+ Programme will deliver frequent, modern, electrified services within the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and will improve connectivity to Regional towns and cities.

The DART+ Programme will involve rail improvements from:

DART+ West - Maynooth and M3 Parkway to the City Centre
DART+ South West - Hazelhatch & Celbridge to the City Centre
DART+ Coastal North - Drogheda to the City Centre
DART+ Coastal South - Greystones to the City Centre
DART+ Fleet - purchase of new train fleet to increase train services.

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DART+ Programme Route Map

Click here to view accessible version of the DART+ Programme route map.

DART+ Programme Timelines

The animated infographic presents the key milestones from the commencement of the DART+ Programme and through the design phase, up to completion of the preliminary design and Railway Order Application. Click on the respective year to view the various project progress. The programme dates indicated may vary dependent on the public consultations, design development and the timeframe for An Bord Pleanála to reach Railway Order decision.

West

Tender and contract award for design team

South West

Tender for design team

Coastal North

Not yet commenced

Coastal South

Not yet commenced

Fleet

Design specification and tender preparation

West

Design development
Project launch
Public Consultation on Emerging Preferred Route

South West

Contract award for design team
Design development

Coastal North

Tender for design team

Coastal South

Tender for design team

Fleet

Tender submissions and evaluation

West

Design development
Public Consultation on Preferred Route

South West

Design development
Public Consultation on Emerging Preferred Route
Public Consultation on Preferred Route

Coastal North

Contract award for design team
Options appraisal
Design development

Coastal South

Contract award for design team
Options appraisal
Design development

Fleet

Tender process conclusion
Contract award

West

Railway Order Application
Detailed design
Tender process for construction phase

South West

Preliminary Design and EIAR

Coastal North

Design development

Coastal South

Design development

Fleet

Fleet Detailed Design

West

Detail Design
Procurement process

South West

Railway Order application
Detail Design
Preparation of procurement process

Coastal North

Railway Order Application
Detailed design
Public Consultation on Preferred Route

Coastal South

Public Consultation on Emerging Preferred Route
Detailed design

Fleet

Design Completion
Manufacture Begins

Fleet

West

An Bord Pleanála statutory consultation - Completed

South West

Statutory Consultation Period as part of the Railway Order application process - Completed

Coastal North

Statutory Consultation Period as part of the Railway Order application process

Coastal South

Railway Order Application

DART+ Programme Key Benefits

5 key reasons the DART+ Programme is needed: Over-reliance on private car, to improve land-use planning, improve integration with other modes of transport, to support economic and population growth, to achieve climate change targets.

Provides Sustainable Tranport Options

Over-reliance on private car use and increasing congestion in the Greater Dublin Area. DART trains are more sustainable and cleaner than current diesel trains.

Achieve Climate Change Targets

Will help reduce the transport sector greenhouse gas emissions which continue to rise. Supporting the Government’s Climate Action Plan.

Supporting Economic and Population Growth

Congestion in Greater Dublin Area is increasing. Cost of Time Lost in the Dublin Region is ~ €350million/annum and forecast to rise to €2,000million/annum by 2033. Sustainable public transport infrastructure (pedestrian, cycling, bus and rail) will sustain economic and population growth while reducing emissions.

Integration of Land-use & Transport Planning

Co-ordination and integration of spatial planning with rail transport. Supporting compact growth and increased densities in the Greater Dublin Area. Supports the implementation of the Project Ireland 2040 and the National Planning Framework.

Facilitates Integration with other modes of transport

Improves integration of rail services with active modes of travel (walking and cycling) Enables greater cross-modal journeys through improved integration with other modes – Bus, Luas, proposed MetroLink and Dublin Bikes.

Download DART+ Programme Brochure

For more information on the DART+ Programme please download the brochure.

Download DART+ Programme Brochure PDF