Cork should have ‘Dart' style train service by 2030

By 2030, “with a mild fair wind”, Cork should have a 10-minute frequency electric train service connecting Mallow, Cobh, and Midleton — and it could have three new stations, according to the chief executive of Iarnród Éireann.

Speaking after a presentation to business leaders in the city, Jim Meade told The Echo the company’s priority was to deliver “effectively a Dart service for Cork — 10-minute service, Mallow, Cobh, Midleton” inside of five years.

Mr Meade said the Cork Area Commuter Rail programme would deliver increased train capacity and frequency, providing greater connectivity for communities and a more sustainable transport network.

He said: “By 2030, with only a mild fair wind behind us, we will have that 10-minute service from Mallow, Cobh, and Midleton into Cork.”

Future-proofing

Mr Meade added that Iarnród Éireann was future-proofing the electrification of the Cork route, with all trains electrical within the next five years. He said Cork could have three new stations at Blackpool, Blarney, and Monard by the end of the decade, but that ultimately depended on Cork city and county councils.

Following an “unprecedented” €300m investment by Iarnród Éireann in its Cork network, Mr Meade said he was confident that the company would successfully deliver on its commitment to introduce “effectively a Dart service” for Leeside.

“We have that unity of purpose, that focus on delivery, and we are demonstrating in Cork that we deliver on our promises, we deliver on our projects,” he said.

“We’re on time, on budget, on scope with all three of our current projects.”

The €24m Kent Station platform project, which was completed last month after two years of construction work, is expected to open in the coming weeks.

A €180m signalling and communications upgrade across the Mallow, Cobh, and Midleton lines is on track to be completed next year.

Similarly, the €92m Glounthaune to Midleton twin-track project is expected to be completed in 2026.

Electric

By 2030, Mr Meade said, Iarnród Éireann would have future-proofed the electrification of the entire Cork route, with all trains being electric.

With eight new stations ultimately planned for the Cork area, he said each one could be built in about two years, if the relevant local authorities secured all planning arrangements.

Mr Meade said it was not currently in Iarnród Éireann’s remit to deliver Cork city’s planned light rail system, but, if asked to work with Cork City Council, “we could deliver it”.

Cork South Central TD Jerry Buttimer, minister of state at the Department of Transport, said public transport in Cork was a priority for the Government.

“We want to leave a lasting, positive public transport network in Cork, and that’s what I’m committed to,” he said.

Mr Buttimer said it was also critical that the city’s planned light rail service be progressed.

“It needs to be a light rail for all of the city and we need to get people onto it and out of the car,” Mr Buttimer said.