Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will direct or authorise an interim augmentation of commuter rail services serving Dublin and the adjoining counties with particular reference to increasing the number of carriages, the frequency of services and the capacity of the respective rail stations where possible notwithstanding the Transport 21 proposals but with the objective of alleviating road traffic congestion and providing alternative public transport to the wider public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6513/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Commuter and suburban rail services in the Dublin area and adjoining counties have been improved substantially in recent years. Major upgrade projects such as the DART Upgrade project, the redevelopment of Heuston Station, the introduction of new rolling stock, the upgrade of the Kildare line through the provision of turnback facilities at Newbridge and the extension of platforms and the doubling of the track between Maynooth and Clonsilla have delivered major increases in the frequency and capacity of services. Peak hour DART capacity has nearly doubled from 14,000 in 2000. Capacity on the Kildare and Maynooth lines has been increased by 160% and 200% respectively in recent years.

The completion of major projects provided for under Transport 21 such as the Docklands Station, the Kildare Route Upgrade project, the Navan Rail link, city centre resignalling, the introduction of further new rolling stock in the early years of Transport 21 and, by 2015, the completion of the interconnector and electrification projects will further enhance commuter and suburban rail services.

In the meantime Iarnród Éireann will continue to implement service improvements such as the recent introduction of Sunday commuter services on the Kildare line, the improvement of peak hour commuter service frequencies on the Maynooth line and the upgrade of station car parking.