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What is DART+ Programme

The DART+ Programme will revolutionise travel in the Greater Dublin Area. It will see the DART network grow from its current 50km in length to over 150km. Bringing DART travel with all its benefits to new and existing communities. 

It will promote multi modal transit, active transport, boost regional connectivity and make public transport the preferred option for more and more people. The DART+ Programme will deliver frequent, modern, electrified services within the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and will improve connectivity to Regional towns and cities.

The DART+ Programme will involve rail improvements from:

  • DART+ West - Maynooth and M3 Parkway to the City Centre
  • DART+ South West - Hazelhatch & Celbridge to the City Centre
  • DART+ Coastal North - Drogheda to the City Centre
  • DART+ Coastal South - Greystones to the City Centre
  • DART+ Fleet - purchase of new train fleet to increase train services.
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DART+ Programme Route Map

Click here to view accessible version of the DART+ Programme route map. 

DART+ Programme Timelines

The animated infographic presents the key milestones from the commencement of the DART+ Programme and through the design phase, up to completion of the preliminary design and Railway Order Application. Click on the respective year to view the various project progress. The programme dates indicated may vary dependent on the public consultations, design development and the timeframe for An Bord Pleanála to reach Railway Order decision.

West

  •  Tender and contract award for design team

South West

  • Tender for design team

Coastal North

  • Not yet commenced

Coastal South

  • Not yet commenced

Fleet

  • Design specification and tender preparation

West

  • Design development 
  • Project launch
  • Public Consultation on Emerging Preferred Route

South West

  • Contract award for design team
  • Design development 

Coastal North

  • Tender for design team 

Coastal South

  • Tender for design team 

Fleet

  • Tender submissions and evaluation

West

  • Design development 
  • Public Consultation on Preferred Route

South West

  • Design development
  • Public Consultation on Emerging Preferred Route
  • Public Consultation on Preferred Route

Coastal North

  • Contract award for design team
  • Options appraisal
  • Design development

Coastal South

  • Contract award for design team
  • Options appraisal
  • Design development

Fleet

  • Tender process conclusion
  • Contract award

West

  • Railway Order Application
  • Detailed design
  • Tender process for construction phase

South West

  • Preliminary Design and EIAR

Coastal North

  • Design development

Coastal South

  • Design development

Fleet

  • Fleet Detailed Design

West

  • Detail Design 
  • Procurement process

South West

  • Railway Order application
  • Detail Design 
  • Preparation of procurement process

Coastal North

  • Railway Order Application
  • Detailed design
  • Public Consultation on Preferred Route

Coastal South

  • Public Consultation on Emerging Preferred Route
  • Detailed design

Fleet

  • Design Completion
  • Manufacture Begins

West

  • Construction commencement

Coastal North

  • Tender Process for Construction Phase’

Coastal South

  • Railway Order Application

DART+ Programme Key Benefits

5 key reasons the DART+ Programme is needed: Over-reliance on private car, to improve land-use planning, improve integration with other modes of transport, to support economic and population growth, to achieve climate change targets.

Provides Sustainable Tranport Options

Over-reliance on private car use and increasing congestion in the Greater Dublin Area. DART trains are more sustainable and cleaner than current diesel trains.

Achieve Climate Change Targets

Will help reduce the transport sector greenhouse gas emissions which continue to rise. Supporting the Government’s Climate Action Plan.

Supporting Economic and Population Growth

Congestion in Greater Dublin Area is increasing. Cost of Time Lost in the Dublin Region is ~ €350million/annum and forecast to rise to €2,000million/annum by 2033. Sustainable public transport infrastructure (pedestrian, cycling, bus and rail) will sustain economic and population growth while reducing emissions.

Integration of Land-use & Transport Planning

Co-ordination and integration of spatial planning with rail transport. Supporting compact growth and increased densities in the Greater Dublin Area. Supports the implementation of the Project Ireland 2040 and the National Planning Framework.

Facilitates Integration with other modes of transport

Improves integration of rail services with active modes of travel (walking and cycling) Enables greater cross-modal journeys through improved integration with other modes – Bus, Luas, proposed MetroLink and Dublin Bikes.

Download DART+ Programme Brochure

For more information on the DART+ Programme please download the brochure.

Download DART+ Programme Brochure PDF
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