A dual strategy involving the spending of £430 million on improving rail safety standards alongside an expansion of commuter train services has been announced by the Government.
Introducing "a new age of the train" at her offices yesterday the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, also confirmed that fares would rise.
Confirming that she had been given Government approval this week to conduct costings and feasibility work for a new suburban rail development plan, Ms O'Rourke predicted that the expansion would boost peak-hour capacity on the greater Dublin suburban network by 60 per cent. She offered assurances that no lines would be shut down.
The £430 million safety programme stems from the recommendations of the highly critical IRMS report conducted last year, which proposed the spending of £590 million over 15 years.
The first five-year tranche will be funded by extra CIE borrowings of up to £71 million this year, followed by Exchequer investment. Revenue may also be raised through the sale of "surplus" property owned by CIE.
With CIE borrowings currently running at £170 million, it is expected that the Transport Act will require amending in order to raise the ceiling on the company's permitted debts above the present level of £250 million. CIE's chief executive, Mr Michael McDonnell, said the company would require borrowings of "at least £270 million" to implement the proposals.
The precise amount of Exchequer support will be determined after the completion of an independent review of the scope for revenue generation from CIE's property portfolio, according to Mr McDonnell. But it was a "myth" to suggest the company had large amounts of surplus property to sell, he added.
Under the £430 million safety programme, £187 million is to be spent on track renewal; £88 million will be invested on level crossings; £51.2 million on safety management systems; £44.2 million on signalling, electrification and telecommunications; £41.4 million on structures and fencing; £17 million on additional track maintenance; and £1.8 million on rolling stock.
Over the five-year period, more than 390 miles of jointed track will be renewed. The remaining 150 miles of jointed track are to be maintained, pending renewal.
According to the Minister, "risk mitigation measures" will be taken at over 600 level crossings and 110 bridges will be renewed. Terminals at Heuston and Limerick stations are to be re-signalled, in addition to a range of other measures aimed at improving signalling and telecommunications.
The programme also provides for "a major improvement" of safety management systems.
The Minister also said the focus in the short term would be to make more use of existing rail corridors through the provision of additional DART and suburban rail rolling stock.
Overcrowding on trains should be eased by the addition of more carriages. Platforms would be lengthened to accommodate bigger trains and new stations would be developed at Intel, Lucan north and south and Ashington.
The reopening of the Midleton line is also under consideration.
Strategic planning guidelines for the greater Dublin area will be published towards the end of this month.
They will include suggestions for a "possible new inland rail link to Navan"; a new link from the Belfast line through Swords and Dublin Airport to the western lines; and enhanced services to Drogheda, Naas, Newbridge, Kilcullen, Wicklow and Navan. Later, similar services would be provided to Athy, Arklow, Kildare and Monasterevan.