New, longer Darts take to the rails

Overcrowding on Dublin's Dart system is expected to ease following the introduction of new eight-car trains.

Each of the new Darts can carry up to 1,440 passengers, representing a doubling of capacity in five years.

Launching the new trains, Minister for Transport Martin Cullen yesterday acknowledged the upgrading of the service had involved some "temporary pain" because of line closures at weekends over the past two years.

However, he said the gain would be "immense and permanent" and the Dart service would shortly be carrying more than 100,000 passengers a day.

More than €185 million has been spent on upgrading the service and improving accessibility for the disabled. Another €80 million was spent on 40 new carriages.

Irish Rail chairman Dr John Lynch admitted the company had received "a pasting" over the weekend Dart closures caused by the upgrading works. He pointed out that the project had been completed three months ahead of schedule and €15 million below budget.

Speaking afterwards to journalists, Mr Cullen declined to say when the Government's promised 10-year transport plan would be published.

He rejected speculation about differences between his department and the Department of Finance over the cost of the plan.

"That's not true. There is no objection. We're working with finance to make sure the scale of the project stands up to the tendering prices for all the different projects. Brian Cowen has been very supportive."