This first modern fleet of trains will increase transport capacity and the pace of decarbonization will accelerate.
The event took place at Irish Rail's Dublin plant, where this mock-up, based on Alstom's X'trapolis train platform, gave the public a firm indication of what the new DART+ trains will offer to its passengers.
The new trains will provide more transport capacity and increased decarbonization for the local community in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
"We are delighted to be able to actually show the new DART+ train to Irish Rail and the Irish public. The trains demonstrate Irish Rail's intention to act quickly to decarbonize the rail network in Greater Dublin, Ireland's most populous suburban area. As a global leader in innovation and provider of green mobility solutions, Alstom is committed to helping Ireland make a difference for its citizens through sustainable rail transport," says Nick Crossfield, Managing Director of Alstom UK and Ireland.
DART+ is a transformational program that will put rail at the heart of Ireland's sustainable transport network. Funded under the National Development Plan by the National Transport Authority, DART+ is an investment that will double the capacity and triple the electrification of the network in the Dublin metropolitan area, facilitating mobility and sustainable development to improve the quality of life in the capital and surrounding counties.
"The example carriage we see on display is modern, comfortable, and customer-focused and we look forward to seeing these carriages in use across our network, serving new and existing communities in the long term," says Irish Rail's Chief Executive, Jim Meade.
As for Alstom's X'trapolis modular suburban train, more than 6,000 units have been sold worldwide. Trains to Dublin are specially designed for the DART+ program.
Each 82-meter DART+ train will have a capacity of 550 passengers, with wide aisles, a low floor, and an automatic retractable step to maximize accessibility for all passengers. Other features include dedicated areas for cyclists and families, charging facilities for mobile phones as well as for bicycles and e-scooters; and advanced video surveillance systems throughout the train.
The ten-year framework agreement allows for the purchase of up to 750 electric/battery electric trains for the DART+ network.
In addition to the fleet, Alstom will provide a range of maintenance services including a technical support and spare parts supply agreement for the first 15 years of fleet operation, deploy HealthHub and TrainScanner technologies for predictive maintenance, and provide three train simulators to support the training of mechanics. The expansion of the DART fleet, as part of the DART+ program, is financed by the National Transport Authority within the National Development Plan 2021-2030.
The 37 trains with 31 five-car Battery Electric Multiple Units (BEMUs) ordered will be able to make journeys of more than 80 kilometers outside the electrified DART network on battery power alone, eliminating older diesel rolling stock from non-electrified lines. These X'trapolis trains will form Ireland's first modern fleet of battery-powered trains, helping to scale up efforts to decarbonize public transport.
The energy consumed will be replaced by fast charging stations located at certain stations and by recuperating braking energy while the new battery electric trains are in motion.
Alstom is the pioneer of sustainable and intelligent mobility with a complete portfolio of green mobility solutions, including the world's first hydrogen-powered train, the Coradia iLint, which is already in passenger service in Germany, as well as battery electric trains already sold in Germany (Coradia Continental BEMU).
