Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he expects the throughput of passengers at the various rail stations throughout County Kildare to increase over the next five years; his plans to optimise the use of the rail network in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16569/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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On the basis of statistics available from the Irish Rail Suburban Rail Census and the DTO 2016 Model Projections, Irish Rail has estimated maximum point flows for both the South West Commuter Corridor (the Kildare line) and the Western Commuter Corridor (the Maynooth line). These projections refer to the maximum number of passengers passing the most heavily loaded point on the respective corridors during the peak hour, and they determine the required capacities.

On the Kildare line, maximum flows of 2,000 in 2003 are projected to increase to 5,000 by 2008 and to 12,000 in 2016. On the Maynooth line, maximum flows of 2,500 in 2003 are projected to increase to 9,000 in 2008 and to 14,000 in 2016.

Over recent years the capacity of commuter services on both the Kildare and Maynooth lines has been increased significantly and Iarnród Éireann have a number of projects planned under Transport 21 over the next 5 years to further increase the capacity.

A public inquiry was recently held regarding 4-tracking the Kildare line. I am now awaiting the report of the Inspector to the Public Inquiry and I will make my decision as to the granting of a Railway Order when I receive that report and I have given it due consideration. Subject to the granting of a Railway Order, construction of the project will commence this year and be completed in 2010.

The new Docklands station will facilitate increased capacity on the Maynooth corridor and this will be operational in 2007.

In terms of commuter capacity, I am informed by Irish Rail that capacity on the Maynooth line has increased by 200% since 2001 and will increase by a further 33% following the opening of Docklands in 2007. Capacity on the Kildare line has increased by 100% since 2003 and will increase by a further 200% following the Kildare Route Project implementation.

The longer-term capacity requirements will be addressed through Transport 21 projects for the electrification of the lines and the construction of the Interconnector tunnel.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Transport the steps he has taken or proposes to take to reduce overcrowding on commuter trains; if he has satisfied himself that full health and safety standards and requirements are being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16571/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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A significant increase in rail capacity and frequency has been provided on commuter rail services in recent years and Transport 21 identifies projects which will further enhance commuter services. For example, in December, 2005, additional capacity for 2,000 and 1,000 commuters was provided for on the Western and Northern routes respectively. Further capacity will be provided on these lines during 2007 when new rolling stock is introduced and the new Docklands Station is opened.

While there are no regulations at EU level governing the number of passengers that can be carried on an individual railway carriage, the Railway Safety Act, 2005 gives powers to the Commissioner for Railway Safety to make regulations in this area.

I understand from Iarnród Éireann that the issue of crowding is one of discomfort and inconvenience rather than a safety concern and this view is in line with consensus in the railway industry worldwide.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans in the context of Transport 21 or otherwise to increase the throughput of passengers by rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16576/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The integrated, rail based public transport system planned for the Greater Dublin Area under Transport 21 is expected to increase substantially the number of passengers carried.

By the end of 2015, when the transport infrastructure funded under Transport 21 is completed and fully operational, I expect a four-fold increase in DART and suburban rail passenger numbers to 100 million per annum.

I similarly expect 100 million passengers to travel on the Luas and Metro network by that time. These increases are to be achieved through a number of major projects.

In the Greater Dublin Area, 2 Metro lines are planned, Metro North and Metro West. Seven Luas projects will be developed, involving the extension and expansion of the existing Luas network. These Luas projects will link the two existing lines and greatly extend the Luas network. The Railway Procurement Agency will increase passenger capacity on the Tallaght Luas line by 40% by increasing the length of the trams to 40 metres from 2007.

Iarnród Éireann's Kildare Route Project and the new Docklands Station will enable significant increases in services on the Kildare and Maynooth lines respectively. Iarnród Éireann's interconnector rail tunnel project will facilitate the extension of the DART network to the Kildare and Maynooth lines and the reopened Navan line.

Nationally, Iarnród Éireann will introduce new commuter services in Galway and in Cork with the re-opening of the Midleton line. The Western Rail Corridor will also be reopened. The company will take delivery of some 67 new intercity carriages for service on the Dublin-Cork route and 150 intercity railcars for service on all other intercity routes. These projects will enable more frequent, more reliable and more comfortable services, which will serve to increase passenger numbers substantially.