New eight-car Darts to run during peak times

A new fleet of eight-carriage Dart trains that is expected to significantly improve Dublin commuter services was officially launched today.

Iarnród Éireann plans to introduce the trains on 35 of its peak time services on weekdays.

The trains - which can carry 1440 passengers, an additional 430 people on the previous four-carriage models - will eventually take over all 70 of the Dart's peak time services.

Around 90,000 passengers use the Dart service on weekdays, but Iarnród Éireann says it hopes the new trains will push this figure over 100,000.

A total of 78 additional Dart carriages have been purchased to run the new services.

The longer trains are the culmination of a €185 million upgrade of the network that included the construction of longer platforms to accommodate the new trains, the rebuilding of 51 kilometres of track and new overhead power lines.

Speaking in Pearse Street Station today, Minister for Transport Martin Cullen admitted the upgrading project had caused disruption to passengers in terms of frequent service cancellations, especially at weekends.

Mr Cullen said: "There has been pain along the way, but the gain is immense. Existing customers will benefit and passenger numbers can grow.

Dart drivers had threatened to boycott the new longer trains last July unless they got more pay, but the threat of a strike was averted following union meetings.