Transport 21 Objectives

• A train on the hour from Dublin to Cork
• A train every hour at peak from Dublin to Galway
• A train every hour at peak from Dublin to Limerick
• A train every two hours off peak from Dublin to Galway
• A train every hour off peak from Dublin to Limerick
• A train every two hours from Dublin to Sligo
• A train every two hours from Dublin to Tralee
• A train every two hours from Dublin to Waterford
• Four trains a day from Dublin to Westport, Ballina and Rosslare

Business As Usual

What was done

• Purchase 187 new rail carriages
• Purchase additional 20 new diesel powered trains from Spain
• Increase staff by 20%
• Improve signalling
• Additional track from Heuston to Portalington increased commuter traffic

Review in 2015

• Some increase in frequency of trains but without substantial investment in rail infrastructure and staff costs, the railway has been unable to compete with the car. The railway continues to be seen as expensive and lacking in flexability.
• The investment in new rolling stock has led to improved the quality of service for passengers and with increases in fuel prices of the last 10 years, so commuters have switched from car to train.

Enlightened Transition

What was done

• New line from Ennis to Claremorris and extended to Sligo in 2012
• Investment in Freight infrastructure
• Switch to Electric trains via hybrid diesel/battery system

News Story: http://news.energyscenariosireland.com/index.php/esi/article/first_electric_train_for_iarnrod_eireann

Localisation

What was done As government quickly ran out of cash for structural investment, plans to upgrade rail network were quickly halted. Despite lack of funding, lines were kept open as maintenance of track was not an issue with the main cost being labour and significant investment in rolling stock in 2004-2006 meant the rail network has been kept running.

Fair Shares

What was done Unable to invest in new lines though funding is now in the pipeline Conversion to biodiesel well under way and slow conversion to electric trains that can take advantage of relatively cheap wind power.

News Story: http://news.energyscenariosireland.com/index.php/esi/article/trains_never_stop