Train News

Helping Refugees Arriving From Ukraine

Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, refugees newly arrived to Ireland from Ukraine can avail of a free single journey, from their point of arrival in Ireland to their ultimate destination – whether that is in State-provided or private accommodation.

To avail of this journey, arriving refugees will need to show the following at the ticket office of their departure station:

• A Ukrainian passport • Evidence of arrival within the previous seven days to Ireland (e.g airline/ferry boarding card stub or confirmation email) OR • Confirmation from a registered charity involved in the Ukrainian crisis response

We also remind all customers that – as part of all online bookings on the Irish Rail/ Iarnród Éireann website – you can make an optional donation to the Irish Red Cross efforts to support victims of the invasion of Ukraine. Iarnród Éireann is one of 23 European railways supporting the travel of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

DART+ FLEET ON ORDER

The largest and most sustainable fleet In Irish public transport history

The largest and most sustainable ever order of fleet for Ireland’s public transport network is on the way! That’s the good news, as Frenchbased company Alstom has been awarded a contract by Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) to supply up to 750 new rail carriages over the coming decade.

An initial order has been placed for 95 electricallypowered carriages – made up of 19 five-carriage train sets. These are set for delivery from mid-2024, and will enter service in 2025. These will include a number of battery powered carriages, which will deliver more capacity for commuters, in advance of electrification of the lines upon which they will operate.

Subsequent orders are intended to be placed in line with the delivery of the DART+ Programme, and in line with requirements for replacement of the original DART fleet (dating from 1984) later in the decade.

Funded under the National Development Plan 2021 to 2030 by the National Transport Authority, the order for the DART+ Fleet is part of the DART+ Programme, an investment which will more than double the commuter capacity and treble the electrification of the Greater Dublin Area rail network. DART+ will facilitate sustainable mobility and development to enhance quality of life in our capital and its surrounding counties.

A ten-carriage train, made up of two five-carriage train sets joined, will be the longest train size operable by the new fleet on current infrastructure, and will have capacity for at least 1,100 customers. Wide gangways will allow customers to freely circulate throughout the full length of five-carriage trains, creating a more open and spacious environment. It will be equipped with an advanced CCTV system with cameras throughout every carriage, to enhance safety and security.

There will be improved facilities for families and cyclists, with dedicated family and bicycle storage areas, and charging facilities for everything from mobile phones to e-bikes and e-scooters

The initial ninety-fivecarriage order will benefit a number of routes: • New battery-electric carriages will be deployed on Drogheda to Dublin Northern Commuter services • New electric carriages will be deployed on existing Malahide/Howth to Bray/ Greystones DART services, to maximise capacity • Introduction of the new fleet will also free up existing carriages to increase capacity on other Commuter and Intercity services

INTRODUCING ALSTOM

A French multinational rolling stock manufacturer, Alstom is one of the largest global suppliers of trains, and is already well known to Irish transport users as the supplier of the LUAS tram fleet. The company is globally renowned as the manufacturer of TGV high-speed trains. Alstom will deliver the new DART+ fleet as an energy-efficient suburban transport solution from its proven X’Trapolis family of trains, with over 2,000 of these already in service in more than 10 countries. The carriages will have bespoke refinements to meet the needs of DART+ and Ireland’s specific track gauge.

In addition to the fleet, Alstom will provide a range of supports, including a Technical Support and Spares Supply agreement for the first 15 years of the fleet’s operation. They will also supply three train simulators to support driver training.

THE DART+ PROGRAMME

DART+ is the name given to a transformative programme undertaken by Iarnród Éireann, which will ensure that train travel is at the heart of Ireland’s sustainable transport network. Funded under the National Development Plan by the National Transport Authority, DART+ is an investment that will double the capacity and treble the electrification of the Greater Dublin Area network. It will facilitate sustainable mobility and development to enhance the quality of life in our capital and its surrounding counties. The overall programme will provide electrification of lines on DART+ West to Maynooth/M3 Parkway; on DART+ South-West to Hazelhatch; and on DART+ Coastal North to Drogheda. DART+ Coastal South will also see key infrastructure works as far as Greystones to allow more trains to operate.

Reduced Fares Make Taking The Train Even Better Value

Did you know that rail fares have been reduced by an average of 20%? It’s part of a move to make public transport better value for everyone. These important reductions are taking place in three phases:

• Since 1st April 2022: All Taxsaver fares (monthly and annual season tickets purchased through the Taxsaver scheme) have been reduced by an average of 20 percent

• Since 11th April: Intercity online fares, booked at www.irishrail. ie or through our Customer Care line have been reduced by an average of 20 percent

• Since 9th May: All other fares, including ticket office fares for Intercity, DART and Commuter services, have reduced by an average of 20 percent; and the Young Adult Card means 50% off all adult fares for 19 to 23 year olds.

• Fuel prices have soared by over 40 percent in recent months, making public transport fares – which in many cases have been unchanged for three or more years already – more competitively priced than ever. Rail customers can have all the benefits of rail travel, reduce their carbon footprint, and now save more too.

ROSSLARE EUROPORT:

IRELAND’S GATEWAY TO EUROPE NOW SET TO BE ITS OFFSHORE WIND HUB!

Rosslare Europort management has announced plans to establish the port, its hinterland and the SouthEast region as Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Hub, with the potential to create up to 2,000 jobs.

After a history-making 2021 which saw Rosslare Europort become Ireland’s number one port for direct RoRo/ Pax services to Europe, management at the port have outlined their vision for Rosslare to become the Offshore Renewable Energy Hub of Ireland The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) hub plan represents an investment estimated at €200 million, and will be aligned with existing developments at the port, which include the following key commitments: • The Rosslare Europort Masterplan, including port digitalisation. These works will reflect Rosslare Europort’s status as Ireland’s Gateway to Europe and will include new freight and passenger facilities; storage, export and import facilities; and berth extension. Matching the port’s physical transformation, a digitalisation of systems and operations is also planned which will deliver a better, more effective and more efficient Port. • The Office of Public Works Project T7, to develop a permanent Border Control Post within the port, to provide the

facilities and systems for all aspects of Border Control. • The new TII N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road, which will ensure a better experience for port users and enhance quality of life for those living and working in the area, by taking trucks out of the village and improving access and connectivity to the port.

“Rosslare Europort has been to the forefront of our national response to some of the most critical issues we have faced in recent times,” Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann said, speaking at the launch of the plan. “Working with State Agencies, Rosslare prepared for and responded to Brexit, transforming our direct connections to the continent of Europe. In recent weeks, we have ensured the rapid and successful establishment of reception facilities for Ukrainian refugees arriving to our shores. Now, as we face the urgent need for decarbonisation and to ensure energy security, the board and management of Iarnród Éireann fully supports the ambitions of Rosslare Europort to be Ireland’s ORE hub.”

“We have engaged extensively at European, national and regional level to understand the needs of the ORE industry,” Glenn Carr, General Manager, Rosslare Europort said. “It is clear that not only is Rosslare Europort uniquely placed to support the development of the industry, but also that this development can be a transformative one for the South-East region. In terms of economic potential, the South-East can be to offshore renewables what Dublin’s silicon docks are to the tech sector. The support shown by stakeholders to date shows that we can achieve this as a region for the nation.”

In total, these developments and the ORE Hub plan will see €350 million invested in the port and its environs. The OREspecific works would be in addition to those already outlined in the Rosslare Europort Infrastructure Masterplan, which is set to transform the physical infrastructure of the port.

WHY ROSSLARE EUROPORT?

Ireland represents one of the best ORE resources in Europe, with a sea area of 490,000sq kms. Rosslare Europort is ideally positioned to serve the many Offshore Wind developments planned in the Irish and Celtic seas.

The national Climate Action Plan has set a target of five gigawatts from ORE by the end of 2030, and Rosslare has unmatchable advantages to support this, and act as a new sustainable hub for the SouthEast. These include: • The port is uniquely located within 60 nautical miles of most of the planned developments in the Irish and Celtic seas. • Access can be developed to provide the key infrastructure requirements to serve the different stages of the OSW projects, to include marshalling, assembly, staging and load out of key components, ongoing operations, maintenance and crew transfers. • The Rosslare Europort project has the support of national and local government, industry and tourism, including the notable support of the Port of Waterford.

ORE HUB PLAN: THE PROGRESS TO DATE

Rosslare Europort is already working to be Ireland’s ORE hub: Expert ORE consultants have been appointed to bring the project to planning.

Financial consultants set to be appointed to develop the detailed business case and funding options.

An application has been submitted to the EU Connecting Europe Facility for 50% co-funding for the studies and designs for planning. That application is supported by Government, local authorities of the South-East, Business Chambers, IBEC, Waterford Port and the Offshore Industry.

Rosslare Europort is actively engaging with all the potential developers that will be involved in OSW and have undertaken comprehensive surveys and engagements with them to understand the industry requirements and gain support for the Rosslare project.

Discussions have also taken place regarding a potential startup facility that could be available from late 2023 at Fisherman’s Quay in the port, on a limited basis. This would offer the industry some port capacity, while the transition to the main facility is completed.