The first DART service from Greystones is to start on Monday. There will be four trains during the morning peak period and two in the evening. The service will be extended to a full schedule as new drivers come on stream.
The four morning DART trains will run at 6.14 a.m., 6.44 a.m., 7.15 a.m., and 7.39 a.m. The two DART trains to Greystones will leave Tara Street station at 3.35 p.m. and 5.41 p.m. DART journey time from Greystones to the city will be approximately 46 minutes.
The new service was delayed because of widespread unofficial action within the CIE group of companies last week. It was originally due to begin on March 31st.
Meanwhile, one of the main causes of that action appears to have been resolved. Iarnrod Eireann and negotiators representing 800 "permanent way" staff have reached agreement on one of the disputes which disrupted train services last week.
Under the new terms, implementation of a 20 per cent pay award from the Labour Court is to be accelerated.
The workers will also see a significant reduction in their working week, although they may be liable to do more night-work.
At present the basic rate is £210.59 a week and most permanent way staff work 55 hours to bring their earnings over £300. Under the new agreement basic pay will rise to £412.97 a week by January 2003 and the working week will be reduced to a maximum of 44 hours a week. Staff required to work nights will receive a supplement of £160 a week.
The company's director of human resources, Mr John Keenan, said yesterday that it had acknowledged the low pay and long hours of E staff and was now attempting to deal with this in a structured way. SIPTU negotiator Mr Tony Tobin said that the terms would be voted on after briefings take place with local representatives.