Project Specific FAQs

There is a premium for battery electric carriages over electric carriages, in terms of capital cost and maintenance costs. Therefore, above a certain frequency of service, it is more economical to provide Over Head Electrification as a power source and utilise electric carriages.  
In addition, charging requirements for battery electric carriages can become an issue at end stations when the frequency of service is high.

Iarnród Éireann, supported by the National Transport Authority (NTA), have provision to commission up to 750 electric/battery electric powered vehicles over a 10-year timescale. This order represents the purchase of the largest and most sustainable public transport fleet in Irish history.
 

The batteries will have a minimum life as traction batteries of 9 years on the units. At that point they will still retain a very large capacity and it is most likely that they will be repurposed for a static energy storage system. There is also the option that the batteries can continue to be used as a traction battery beyond 9 years on shorter services requiring BEMU operation.

Battery Electric Multiple Units (BEMUs) are almost identical to the traditional electric DART trains we are familiar with; however, they contain a large battery pack to provide traction power where no overhead line exists.

Both the BEMUs and the EMUs have the same visual appearance, interior layout and performance characteristics, with the only significant difference being that the BEMU will have a traction battery system that allows for operation away from the overhead line system using energy stored in the traction battery system. Battery charging will take place at fixed fast charging stations located at terminus locations and by recovering braking energy.

It is currently proposed to use the battery electric trains on the northern line between Drogheda and Dublin City Centre. They will allow us to make full use of existing infrastructure and provide the necessary capacity and frequency uplift on this line while electrification is being progressed. 
 

The electric DART trains will be interoperable across all lines where an overhead electrified line exists. This will be from the City Centre to Maynooth, M3 Parkway, Hazelhatch/Celbridge, and Greystones. 
The first order of electric DART trains will be used to provide additional capacity on the existing DART network at peak times.  
The second order will operate to Maynooth through the DART+ West Project following commissioning of the required infrastructure upgrades.
Subsequent orders will operate via DART+ South West to Hazelhatch/Celbridge as well as be used to increase capacity across the overall network.

The interior configuration of the new DART+ Fleet is not yet finalised but one of the primary objectives of the design is to provide improved accessibility for train users including; 
•    Larger wheelchair spaces with easy access from adjacent doors
•    Uncluttered family areas to fit pushchairs and located close to doors
•    A mixture of seating and standing layouts to accommodate diverse passenger needs 
•    Bike stowage areas
•    Wide gangways between carriages to allow ease of movement, create a more open connected feel and a greater feeling of security 
•    USB charging points and Wi-Fi throughout 
•    4 CCTV cameras per car to support passenger safety and security 
•    4 (PIS) Passenger Information System screens per carriage for real time travel information. The Passenger Information System will be fully compatible with the Official Languages Act and will have a clear view from all wheelchair areas and priority seats.

The first units of the 185 carriages already on order from rail manufacturer Alstom, have arrived in Ireland and are going through the rigorous testing, commissioning and safety approvals process that each train must go through before entering service from early 2026 onwards. 

To date, two orders have been placed as part of a framework agreement with rail manufacturer Alstom which provides for up to 750 electric/battery electric carriages over a ten-year period.

Initial units of the new DART+ Fleet will be maintained at existing depots until the new purpose built DART+ Depot facility is built. A site selection process is currently underway to determine the preferred location of the proposed depot. A number of locations for the potential depot site are currently under examination.

Yes, to support the expansion in rail services planned under the National Development Plan 2021 to 2030 and to meet the infrastructural capacity increases delivered by the DART+ Programme, additional rolling stock is required. 

Ultimately the existing DART fleet will be replaced. The two orders placed to date for DART+ Fleet under the framework agreement with Alstom have been with a view to adding more capacity to existing lines and to serve the infrastructure projects being delivered under the DART+ Programme. It is envisaged that when a third order is placed it will be to replace the existing DART fleet.  

One of the primary objectives of the design of the DART+ Fleet is to provide improved accessibility for train users. 

Spacious vestibules ease passenger flow throughout the train while strategically placed and plentiful grab handles help passengers balance and wait safely for the train to stop. 

Low level flooring and entrance doors reduce the stepping height for passengers and improve access for persons with reduced mobility. A retractable step at every doorway is deployed automatically before the doors open, it moves outwards to minimise the horizontal gap between the train and the platform. This will greatly improve access for persons with reduced mobility and minimise the risk of people falling. 

Inductive hearing loops will be placed strategically throughout the train 4 PIS displays in each carriage will provide transformed customer information on-board, with real-time updates and information from other public transport systems in the Transport for Ireland network. These are designed for sensory impaired customers.

We’re investing in both electric and battery/electric powered trains that will allow us to make full use of the existing infrastructure while electrification is being progressed.
The first order under the framework will consist of 13 x 5 car BEMUs (Battery Electric Multiple Units) and 6 x 5 car EMUs (Electric Multiple Units). This will deliver 95 vehicles from the framework limit of 750 vehicles. 
Iarnród Éireann expect to take delivery of this initial order from mid-2024 and enter service in 2025.

To provide for additional capacity and improve train accessibility, the new units will not be delivered with toilets on-board.