New Dart carriages to replace old fleet in service since 1984 after €670m investment

Eva Osborne

An order of new electric Dart carriages will fully replace the old fleet, which has been in service since 1984.

The order for 100 carriages complements two previous orders, bringing the total investment in new electric-powered Dart trains to approximately €670 million.

The new carriages will enter service from 2027.

Barry Kenny from Irish Rail has said he is confident the new trains will last the test of time, like the original ones.

"Well almost every single Dart that started the service in 1984 is still in service, and I think it shows you the return investment that you get on electric train fleets," he said.

"These new Darts will be an iconic part of Dublin life and, indeed, the expanded Dart network to Drogheda, to Maynooth, Hazelhatch, under the Dart+ programme."

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.”