Irish Rail has unveiled the first five carriages of its new Dart Plus fleet, manufactured by French firm Alstom, at Inchicore Railway Works. These electric and battery-electric trains are set to enter service in January 2026 as part of a €1 billion investment in public transport across Ireland.
The Dart+ fleet will consist of 37 new trains to enhance service in the Greater Dublin Area, eventually to be extended to Maynooth, Drogheda, and Hazelhatch. Chief Executive Jim Meade emphasized that these trains will help address the rising demand for public transport and allow for increased services even prior to infrastructure upgrades.
Designed to accommodate 550 passengers, the new trains will include dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, families, and bicycles, as well as an open interior layout to improve accessibility. Each train can travel up to 80km on lithium battery power before needing a recharge.
Meade noted this initiative aims to double the peak hourly capacity on the Dublin-Drogheda route while ensuring eco-friendly operations. The rollout will involve rigorous testing to meet European safety standards before entering service, with the Dart+ Coastal North project enhancing overall capacity in a time of recent service challenges for Irish Rail.
