Submission by Mr Colm Markey MEP to the National Transport Authority "Greater Dublin Area Draft Transport Strategy 2022-2042" (January 2022)

MetroLink

The Metrolink has been in the policy and consultation stages for years and its completion should be one of the top priorities under the Draft Strategy. Fingal, East Meath and Louth are the fastest growing regions in Ireland, which is putting enormous strain on the public transport network and M1 motorway, especially during peak times. Most EU airports are served by rail networks and Ireland has lagged behind in this respect. All forecasts suggest that Dublin Airport footfall is set to further increase over the next decade.

Anti-Social Behaviour on Public Transport

The Draft Strategy does not make enough reference to the recent increase in anti-social behaviour on light and heavy rail in the Greater Dublin area nor does it propose any measures that will be taken to combat same. The verbal and physical abuse suffered by passengers can be a significant deterrent to commuters from using the service. This needs to be addressed and requires a strategic approach and detailed action plan to ensure the public continue to have confidence and feel secure in using the service.

Short Hop Zone & Leap Cards

The extension of the Short Hop Zone and Leap Card facilities to Drogheda would be highly beneficial to commuters. An Adult Day Return rail ticket from Dublin Connolly to Drogheda costs €24.35 for a paper ticket. Whereas one can purchase the same ticket on a Leap card with Matthews Coaches for €15. If tickets were paperless and cheaper, there would be more commuters using rail travel.

Dublin to Belfast high speed line (Chapter 12)

A high-speed line between Dublin and Belfast with only one stop in Dundalk would be of huge advantage to commuters as it would free up capacity on the existing line to allow for enhanced electric commuter train services during peak-times for services south of Dundalk. If one could travel from Dublin to Belfast in one hour it would help establish strong  economic and social links between both cities and would provide a platform of connectivity, which is more important now than ever in the post-Brexit climate. A stop at Dundalk would ensure the M1 economic corridor would also be strategically linked to both cities.

Battery-Operated Carriages to Kildare town and Enfield

While the deployment of battery operated carriages on the DART and Northern Commuter Route is a very welcome step, the provision of similar capacity to Kildare on the Limerick line and to Enfield on the Sligo line would provide much needed capacity and frequency on these key rail arteries of the greater Dublin area. A large percentage of the Kildare workforce commute to and from Dublin on a daily basis and the line is used by hundreds of students commuting to and from Maynooth University, therefore this route should also be prioritised.