Varadkar: Dart-style train system for Cork viable within 5-10 years
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A Dart-style train system for Cork is viable within the next five to ten years, the Taoiseach has said.
While Leo Varadkar ruled out starting Cork's east-west light rail system immediately, he said plans for the city's public transport would focus on buses and trains.
The Taoiseach said the light rail system spanning a 17km route, with 25 stops and a 45-minute journey time along its full length, is "a good idea", but said it is not the priority at this time.
"Light rail has worked extremely well in Dublin and I'd like to see more of it. And I don't see why we can't have it in other cities too. But the priority certainly in Cork is the Cork metropolitan rail. So you'll know that we're double-tracking around Midleton and there's proposals for a whole new set of stations around Cork.
"So I would say the priority in terms of public transport in Cork is BusConnects and also the Cork metropolitan rail, which is upgrading the existing train service on the existing lines and putting in new stations, sort of a Cork Dart if you like. And I think that's probably something more achievable in the medium term."
In June 2021, the Government announced a €185m investment in commuter rail in Cork. The plan aims to provide significant capacity increases on the Cork Area Commuter Rail network, including construction of a through platform at Kent Station, line doubling between Glounthaune and Midleton, and re-signalling, with a view to future electrification which would allow more frequent services.
The plan also envisages the development of several new commuter rail stations, including at Monard, Blackpool, Tivoli, Carrigtwohill West and Water Rock, on the Mallow to Midleton line, and at Ballynoe on the Cork to Cobh line.
Mr Varadkar said the Government's aim is to centre development around these stations.
"[The plan is to get people] into the city and across the city but then also to make sure that the development happens around train stations because that's more viable. We have the railway order already for the double tracking to Midleton, so having a heavy rail, 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."