The Department of Transport has funded an order for a further 100 new energy-efficient DART carriages, which will fully replace the original fleet in service since the DART first opened in 1984. This follows two previous orders in recent years for new DART trains, and brings the total Government investment in new electric-powered DART trains to approximately €670 million.
This order for 100 carriages is an investment of €173.9 million, to replace the original DART carriages used on the largely coastal line from Greystones to Malahide/Howth. It complements two previous carriage orders, bringing the number of DART carriages ordered to 285, made up of 57 five-carriage trains. The first order was for 95 new DART carriages, which will enter service mainly on the busy line from Dublin to Drogheda from the first half of 2027. The second order of 90 DART carriages will enter service from 2028.
All of these carriages will provide additional capacity for the Greater Dublin Area rail network as part of the DART+ Programme, in response to record passenger demand. These new trains will increase the capacity and sustainability of rail services, and offer benefits to passengers including significant accessibility improvements; increased bicycle storage; device charging; and enhanced security through CCTV. This will help to transform public transport in the years ahead.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said:
“This order of new DART carriages is the latest demonstration of the Government’s commitment to public transport and to rail in particular. It forms part of our NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for transport, which will see over €10 billion of investment in public transport infrastructure, in addition to €2 billion allocated to commence construction of MetroLink from the Infrastructure Climate and Nature Fund, over the period 2026 to 2030. The rollout of these carriages will help ensure that we continue to provide a sustainable and reliable DART service in the years ahead, as we work to expand the DART network under the DART+ Programme.”
The order has been placed with global manufacturer Alstom by Iarnród Éireann, through the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Anne Shaw, Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority, added:
“NTA welcomes this order for new DART trains which will complete the replacement of the original DART fleet. Since its introduction in 1984, DART has been transformational in changing travel behaviours and is now relied upon for travel by tens of thousands of people every day. These new trains will ensure DART continues to deliver sustainable transport along the corridor, improving the efficiency of the service and improving the reliability, accessibility and comfort of DART users.”
Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann Mary Considine said:
“This is a crucial order for the continued development of rail services in the Greater Dublin Area. The longevity of the original DART is a testament to our Iarnród Éireann colleagues, who have managed and maintained the fleet, and also to the durability of electricity-powered trains. This has created a service that is iconic to its customers and the communities it serves. These new modern fleets will deliver real improvements in customer experience for all DART users across the expanded network under the DART+ Programme, and include major accessibility benefits.”
At least 23 million passenger journeys will have been made on existing DART services from Greystones to Malahide/Howth in 2025, the highest number ever seen. Across Dublin’s commuter services – Drogheda, Maynooth/M3 Parkway, Kildare and Wicklow – a further 16 million passenger journeys are forecast, also the highest ever. The full DART+ Programme, encompassing new fleet and infrastructure works under DART+ West, South West, Coastal North and Coastal South, will double the capacity of rail services in the Greater Dublin Area.
