• Comment: I think you could incorporate and expand the existing article. If Dart+ is finished maybe then a separate article can be created?
    I do really encourage you to expand the existing DART article though as the content you have written here is good. Qcne (talk) 17:10, 10 December 2023 (UTC)

DART+
A map of the proposed DART+ network, along with the existing DART and Luas lines, and proposed Metrolink
Type of projectCommuter rail
LocationGreater Dublin Area
Country Ireland
StatusIn progress
Websitedartplus.ie

DART+ is a proposed commuter rail project in the Greater Dublin Area in Ireland, aimed at expanding the existing Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) network. DART+ consists of five main sub-projects: DART+ West, DART+ South West, DART+ Coastal North, DART+ Coastal South (each servicing distinct areas of County Dublin), and DART+ Fleet.[1] As of late 2023, Iarnród Éireann have lodged planning applications for DART+ West and South West[2], while public consultations on DART+ Coastal North have concluded.[3]

Background edit

The Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) is an electrified commuter railway established in 1984 that runs along the coast of Dublin, from Greystones to Howth and Malahide. Prior to DART+, several extensions of the DART network had been proposed, including an underground line, which was eventually put on hold.[4] The DART+ project is funded by the National Development Plan 2021 to 2030 of the National Transport Authority of Ireland.[5]

Overview edit

The DART+ Project is divided into four lines:

and DART+ Fleet, a project aimed at adding new, electrified rolling stock to the DART network.[1]

Timeline edit

Pre-2021 edit

A DART expansion programme resembling the current DART+ programme was first mentioned as the "DART Expansion" in the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 - 2035 document, published in 2016 by the National Transport Authority.[6]

In August 2020, the project was formally launched by the NTA under the DART+ name alongside the opening of public consultation for the DART+ West sub-project.[7]

2021-2023 edit

In August 2023, Iarnród Éireann ordered 95 new carriages (65 battery-electric carriages, 30 electric carriages) for DART+ Coastal North, running between Drogheda and Dublin, which are due to enter service in 2025.[8] The French transportation company Alstom was awarded the contract to build charging facilities in Drogheda by the end of 2024 to support the carriages.[9]

In November 2023, as part of DART+, works began on the new Woodbrook Station, located between Shankill and Bray. The station is due to open in 2025.[10]

Criticism edit

Several proposed lines of the DART+ project have been criticised for missing stations, as well as their potential impacts on nearby communities.[11][12]

See Also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "About Dart+". dartplus.ie. DART+.
  2. ^ McCarron, Jamie. "New DART+ prototype unveiled, first carriages to enter service in 2025". thejournal.ie. TheJournal. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  3. ^ McCabe, Donald. "Iarnród Éireann launches second public consultation for bringing DART to Louth". dundalkdemocrat.ie. Dundalk Democrat. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  4. ^ Bardon, Sarah (8 September 2015). "Government abandons Dart Underground project". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 10 Dec 2023.
  5. ^ Hussey, Sinéad. "Rail capacity between Dublin, Drogheda set to double". rte.ie. RTE. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  6. ^ Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 - 2035 (PDF), National Transport Agency, retrieved 10 December 2023
  7. ^ "Radical new DART+ Plan for Dublin Launched". National Transport Authority. 26 August 2020. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  8. ^ Nevin, Emma (11 August 2023). "Drogheda to Dublin DART+ trains to be battery-electric powered in just two years". DublinLive. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Fast-charging facilities for new DART+ trains at Drogheda Station as contract awarded". The Irish Independent. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  10. ^ Galvin, Tom (10 Nov 2023). "Irish Rail says work on 32nd DART station to begin this month near Shankill". Irish Independent. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  11. ^ Deegan, Gordon. "Hearing to be held over planned DART+ West upgrade after 158 submissions received". breakingnews.ie. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  12. ^ Dalby, Claudia. "A Planned DART Line May Pass Through Ballyfermot Without Stopping". dublininquirer.com. Dublin Inquirer. Retrieved 10 December 2023.