Cork commuter rail projects underway
Some major investment projects are now underway in Cork's commuter rail programme, Irish Rail have confirmed.
“Extensive work is underway and more is planned, under the EU-funded Recovery and Resilience Plan, this will allow Iarnród Éireann to increase the Cork commuter rail network’s capacity,” a spokesperson told the Cork Independent. Three major projects are ongoing, which when completed will “treble capacity in the Cork area”, they added.
Iarnród Éireann say that double-tracking Glounthaune to Midleton line has already commenced. A Railway Order application was granted by An Bord Pleanála in November 2023 to construct a proposed second rail track along the 10km railway line between Glounthaune and Midleton. Construction is planned for summer 2024, which will enable twin-tracking to be completed by late 2026.
The construction of a new platform at Kent Station to facilitate the running services from Mallow to Cobh/Midleton also began in October of last year.
Additionally, a signalling and communications upgrade to facilitate the service frequency increases across the Cork Area Commuter Rail network commenced in 2023.
Light rail update
In a year-end briefing, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he believes a Dart-type system for Cork is “genuinely achievable in the next five to ten years and I think that’s what we should be aiming to do”. However, he said that the priority at the moment is BusConnects.
The €1 billion Light Rail Transit system proposed by the the National Transport Authority would run from Ballincollig in the west of the city to Mahon Point in the east. The 17km Luas-style system is one of the biggest elements of the ambitious Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy.
It is envisaged that 27 trams would run the 25-stop route at 5 minute frequencies and carry 46 million passengers per annum. The provisional start date for the major works is currently 2031.
People Before Profit TD Mick Barry said that the Taoiseach's comments seem to suggest a slowing of the Government's plans to introduce a light rail system for Cork.
"Cork needs improved bus services, improved train connections and a light rail system. The Taoiseach needs to clarify his comments and make clear that he is not implying any downgrading of plans for light rail in the city," he said.
Busy 2023
Iarnród Éireann had a busy year in 2023, as preliminary figures reveal high rail passenger numbers. Over the past 12 months, an estimated 45.5 million journeys were undertaken, a significant increase from the 35.8 million recorded in 2022. The 2023 totals reached 90% of the pre-Covid demand, with expectations set for a peak of 50.1 million journeys in 2024.
Intercity services contributed 12.5 million journeys, reaching 96% of pre-Covid peaks, while commuter routes saw 13.3 million journeys, representing 86% of pre-Covid levels.
Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, said: “It has been great to welcome customers new and old back to our services throughout 2023. From the busiest ever events season to the growing demand across all services, the recovery of demand will mean our ongoing investment projects will be delivered in time to boost capacity as its needed.”
“Growing and new communities will be able to benefit from high capacity, sustainable rail transport services as we deliver in all our major cities, and across the network,” he added.
Meanwhile, a new Irish Rail timetable began last month, which includes the “fastest ever scheduled service” between Cork and Dublin. The weekday 6.15am Cork Kent to Dublin Heuston service now takes 2 hours and 14 minutes, which is 5 minutes faster. This makes it the quickest scheduled service on this route.