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INCREASED DART FREQUENCY could lead to more traffic congestion in Dublin, it has been warned.
Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) recently announced that Dart services would be increased in frequency from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes on weekdays, and will start running earlier in the morning.
Dublin councillor Jim O’Callaghan has said the planned increase in frequencies could lead to barrier downtime of over seven hours a day at certain stations.
Barry Kenny of Irish Rail said he doesn’t disagree with the downtime figures being put forward by O’Callaghan, stating: ”There’s no arguing that point – there will be extra downtime.”
He noted that the plan to increase Dart frequencies “will make public transport better”, adding that the frequency of trains reduced in the past and the new proposals will bring schedules back in line with previous ones.
Kenny said roads are “hugely congested as it is” and this issue will only be solved by improving public transport.
Level crossings
O’Callaghan said the increased frequencies are to be welcomed, but level-crossing train barriers need to be modernised before they are implemented.
“It is important to note that the impact on traffic congestion for Dublin southside commuters, particularly around the busy areas of Sydney Parade and Merrion Gates, will be significant.”
The Fianna Fáil councillor said that 160 trains currently pass through Sydney Parade each weekday (about one every seven minutes) and this figure will increase to 225 (approximately one every five minutes).
Recent observations indicate that the level-crossing train barriers come down roughly two minutes before a southbound train passes and up to three minutes before a northbound one. At several points the downtime can be up to five minutes when northbound and southbound trains cross within two minutes of each other. This amounts to approximately six hours daily of barrier downtime between 6am and midnight.
He noted that the proposed changes in frequency times would increase the barrier downtime to about seven-and-a-half hours per day, “effectively closing the road 40% of the time, which will prove dangerous and frustrating for all road users but particularly for emergency vehicles”.
Kenny said similar lengths of barrier downtime will be replicated at other stops along the line.
Train drivers aren’t happy
Dermot O’Leary, general secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union (NRBU), said increasing the Dart frequency was not agreed with drivers.
Drivers recently engaged in industrial action over payments related to productivity. Union members are set to be balloted by Monday on a Labour Court recommendation that both sides enter into negotiations on productivity. The motion is likely to pass.
If so, there would be a four-month window to discuss productivity, going well beyond the planned start date for the new proposals. O’Leary said expanding Dart frequency would fall under these discussions, but Kenny disagrees.
He said increasing the frequency of Darts is not a productivity issue as Irish Rail is recruiting new drivers.
‘Pre-election rush’
“It appears to me that the government in a pre-election rush have announced 10-minute services without taking heed of several issues, not least barrier downtime,” O’Leary said.
He added that a barrier upgrade is long overdue.
Kenny said Irish Rail hopes to implement the more frequent Dart timetable by the end of January.
The date for submissions during the public consultation period about a range of upgrades being proposed by Irish Rail, including increased Dart frequency, ended yesterday. The company received over 2,200 submissions.
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everyday im shufflin’
“My new Nokia 6510 will be here today, it does texts and everything now”
he he he, ive got the golden ticket, jesus a camera, i was just about to click me heels an all, he he
I just can’t look at him long enough to figure it out. :-(
feckin’ botox hash me stuck like thish, ok think angry enda, think angry, doh!!
@Fergal Cantwell: Step away from the picture… enough from you already!
Fergal @ Best one yet ! Lol:) :)
Who’s your sexy daddy?
boom boom, i knew i was the daddy
Hope Ming got me sorted…..
ok, keep calm enda, got to get to the jacks
I bought this lovely new anorak thanks to the first few fools that paid the household charge….it’s all mine mine MINE MWAHAHAHA
This anorak has lots of lovely pockets for the brown envelopes. Zips as well to keep them safe………!
Wait til the wife realises i’ve taken the TV remote to work.
Now to Tax Confirmation and Communion money
chim chimeny, chim, chim cheroo
momma told me, there d be days like this
‘I’ve got the moves like Jagger’
We inherited Ireland’s financial woes from the previous government, just like I inherited this classy anorak from Bertie.
Doesn’t Mary have a lovely Bottom!!
ah now he’d be a bit more pc than that and would add “of course they all have lovely bottoms!” ya dont get to be taoiseach unless ur a bit diplomatic ;)
I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….I’m a cute hoor………I’m a cute hoor……….
“This jacket with built in nipple warmers was the best present EVER”
“Oh crap hope that camera can’t see my german for dummies book”
Oh get me in there, I’ve missed the sound of Joan Burton’s voice.
When I was a teacher, in charge of 30 students I only worked 38 weeks out of the year. Now Im the Taoiseach in charge of 4 million people I only work 30 weeks in the year. Life is great.
“Huh,huh,huh what Paddy doesn’t know wont hurt Paddy huh,huh,huh”
“huh,huh,huh what Paddy doesn’t know won’t hurt Paddy huh,huh,huh”
Ha its nearly been a year now since I kicked those wasters out of government.
I just farted and there are no witnesses.
Lads– I’m suffering from Anoraksia Nervosa
Must check with Joan as when I qualify for a Taoiseach’s pension. Can’t be long now.
Whooos your sexy taoisigh?
sausages
I hope Eamon isn’t sitting in my chair and wearing my slippers again!!!
You know me Ted, the lights are on, but there’s nobody home…
I wonder will they ever bring back Mork and Mindy….that truly was a great programme
mmmm pensions :-)
I like turtles!!!
“The boys will be glad to get their hands on this 4000 page document on what we can blame previous administrations for”.
“Phil Hogan will be glad to get his hands on this list of householders I have in my left hand”
Shelia is back from maternity leave I feckin love how she does my eggs!!
Oh a camera… hmm… you’re vulnerable, you’re vulnerable.. you’re fierce – Glad i watched Top Model last night.
Iv just payed my household tax
Wehey Angela said i’m good boy!
“Tee hee hee…..I’ve got a great idea for the journals’ caption competition”
‘Glad I don’t have a private sector pension.’
Oh Sh1t a camera-man…. look happy for the people!!
La la la lalala, la lala la la (smurfs tune)
I wonder if I could get another go at those e voting machines to fix the euro referendum to pass
why is the fool using an ancient phone more embarrassment for us
Because if he was seen walking in with his bright new shiny iPhone 4S we’d all be saying – “look at yon gimp with the expensive smart phone, we’re probably paying his bills too”.
This way he is telling us that we’re all broke so an ancient nokia is all he can afford, the fact that we’re paying his bill regardless seems to have escaped him
Yes Dermot. Cos we do like to sweat the small stuff. Less than 2 weeks now to paying the bondholders. But the sheep worry about the price of his feicing phone!!!
I’m wearing the new tie my Mrs gave me for Christmas:-))
Bertie gave me this anorak for Christmas. Feck all in the pockets except empty envelopes though!
“Heigh ho, heigh ho, it’s back to work I go”
Seriously, I cant believe it get €200,000 a year for this!!
Jaysus! Penny’s does great Jackets!
It took me 5 point 0 minutes to think of how to fleece the country! Wahahahahaha!
Fracking
So how many people am I going to screw over this year.
Can’t wait for next years anniversary!
Im still in the driver seat after screwing the pensioners and passing the buck to the tax man Ha, Ha.
You don’t have to enjoy screwing the general public to work here but it helps!
i wanted an iphone for christmas….
I’m glad I got the revenue commissioners to handle this one
So have many people am I going to screw over this term.
i can do what i like and no one can stop me…foolish people
This anorak has lots of lovely zipped pockets for the brown envelopes.
After receiving a sizable ‘Political Donation’
“Oh hoh hoh.. . gonna get me that new boat!”
Oohh…where’s that spine I wanted to grow?
Five point caption…..
Lads, if what I’ve got in this portfolio is as interesting as what I think i just did in the seat of my trousers, the country’s in for another great year, ;D >>shifty eyes<<
Haa haa going to start the report cards on minsters. brillant
‘I haven’t read the Mahon Report, I haven’t read the Mahon Report, I haven’t read the Mahon Report, I haven’t read the Mahon Report, HONESTLY lads, I haven’t read the Mahon Report’.
Wait until those sneaky Frenchies find out we haven’t got two potatoes to rub together…
“I have my own five point plan..going to the dail bar hehehe”
I’ll show them no nonsence: there’ll be plenty of seach in their T tonight
Pensions do do be doobee, pensions, do dobee do, pensions, do do do dobee do dobee do dobee do do do do do do do……
Instead of phenomenon? Anybody?
Anglo Irish Bank.. not another Cent.
i love this job, The people of Ireland are so dumb hee hee.
“Do they think I’m going to work today, I’m off to lunch with the Troika”
Woohoo.. just rang the revenue and i’m not entitled to tax…..
Another Rat in an Anorak
Fronting the anti obesity campaign….
Snooooop dogy dog!
‘Hey journos, check out my austerity phone – no fancy schmancy iPhone for me’
bloody long drives reek havoc with my bladder. hope the feckin jacks is open.
“Waddaya think of the jacket boys?”
Do you like my big rosie cheeks? Do you ? I really would like to look like my friend Bosco11
The return of anorak politics, what next paddy the plasterer
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