April 2009

LUAS

Luas Line A1 – Citywest Extension.

On 6 April 2009, construction of the railway infrastructure works commenced on the new Luas spur line to Citywest and Saggart. The contractor, BAM Rail Ltd, has now established site offices and a storage compound and has commenced utility diversion and drainage works. Construction of this Luas line is scheduled for completion by end 2010 with services operating on the new line in early 2011.

METRO

Metro North

On 29 April 2009, An Bord Pleanala’s Inspector adjourned the Oral Hearing in relation to the RPA’s application for a Railway Order in respect of Metro North. It is expected that the Inspector will communicate with interested parties in due course regarding the duration of the adjournment, and the date for resumption of the Hearing.


HEAVY RAIL

Car parking expansion
Iarnród Éireann continued their car park expansion programme with the provision of an additional 140 parking spaces at Enfield station during April.

DART Underground
As part of Iarnród Éireann’s preparations for the submission of a railway order for the DART Underground a series of public consultation meetings were held along the proposed route from 20-30 April.

Heuston Station
New automatic ticket validators were commissioned by Iarnród Éireann at Heuston Station on 17 April. These validators will provide a deterrent for fare evaders and follow the successful introduction of validators at Connolly, Pearse and Tara Street Stations.

BUSES

Bus Éireann
Capacity on several commuter routes in Leinster was increased by over 30 per cent during the month with the introduction of double-deck coaches providing an improved commuting experience for passengers. There was also a positive reaction to the frequency increase on the 133 Wicklow-Dublin service and extension to Dublin Airport. The introduction of a new bus lane in Galway will lead to a 10 minute reduction in journey time on the Bus Éireann Galway-Doughiska service.