Irish Rail Signs €160M Deal: 100 New Alstom Trains for Dublin

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) has committed to the largest and most sustainable public transport fleet order in Irish history, signing a €160 million deal with Alstom for 100 additional X’trapolis trains. This latest contract expands the DART+ Programme and brings the total investment in new electric and battery-electric rolling stock to approximately €670 million, set to double rail capacity across the Greater Dublin Area.

In a landmark move for Ireland’s public transport network, Iarnród Éireann has finalised a third order with global mobility leader Alstom for 100 new five-carriage X’trapolis trains. The €160 million deal, announced by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, will see the complete replacement of the original DART fleet, which has been in service since the network’s inception in 1984. This procurement is a cornerstone of the DART+ Programme, an ambitious government-backed initiative to significantly enhance service frequency and capacity. The overall framework agreement with Alstom allows for up to 750 carriages over a ten-year period, signalling a long-term commitment to modernising and decarbonising rail travel in the capital region.

The new X’trapolis fleet, manufactured at Alstom’s facility in Chorzów, Poland, is designed to transform the passenger experience. Each five-carriage train features wide, open gangways for seamless movement, with two connected sets forming a ten-carriage train capable of carrying at least 1,100 passengers. A significant portion of the new fleet—155 carriages from the first two orders—will be Battery-Electric Multiple Units (BEMUs). These innovative trains will operate on battery power on non-electrified lines, such as the route to Drogheda, where they will recharge at a dedicated station facility. This hybrid approach allows for the immediate extension of DART services beyond the existing electrified network. Onboard amenities will include enhanced security systems, increased storage for bicycles, and device charging points.

This major order solidifies Alstom’s strong position in the competitive European rolling stock market. The win in Ireland complements Alstom’s recent global successes, such as securing a €1 billion share in Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop project in Australia. The European market for electric multiple units (EMUs) is fiercely contested, with competitors like Stadler also fulfilling large contracts, including a recent framework agreement for 75 FLIRT trains with Poland’s Koleje Mazowieckie. Alstom’s success with its modular X’trapolis platform, which can be adapted for electric, battery-electric, and hydrogen power, underscores its strategic advantage in providing flexible solutions to meet diverse national decarbonisation targets.

Key Takeaways

• Major Capacity Upgrade: The full DART+ Programme, supported by this new fleet, is projected to double the overall rail capacity in the Greater Dublin Area.
• Sustainable Modernisation: The order replaces a 40-year-old fleet with energy-efficient electric and battery-electric trains, extending zero-emission services to non-electrified routes.
• Enhanced Passenger Journey: The new trains will feature modern amenities including open gangways, improved accessibility, increased bicycle storage, and device charging.

Editor’s Analysis

The Iarnród Éireann deal is more than a simple fleet replacement; it’s a blueprint for modern urban rail expansion. By opting for a mixed fleet of EMUs and BEMUs under a single framework, Ireland is future-proofing its network, allowing for phased electrification while immediately extending zero-emission services to non-electrified lines. This flexible procurement strategy, coupled with Alstom’s modular platform, offers a compelling model for other cities globally that are grappling with the high cost and long timelines of full network electrification but need to decarbonise their transport systems urgently. It represents a pragmatic and impactful step towards sustainable mass transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many new trains are being ordered in total?
The latest order is for 100 five-carriage trains. This brings the total number of new DART+ cars ordered from Alstom to 285, which will form 57 five-carriage trainsets.

When will the new DART+ trains enter service?
The first batch of new trains from the initial order is scheduled to enter service from the first half of 2027, primarily on the busy Dublin to Drogheda line. The subsequent orders will enter service from 2028 onwards.

What is the total investment in the new DART+ fleet?
The combined investment from the three orders for new electric and battery-electric trains is approximately €670 million. The overall government investment in public transport infrastructure under the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan exceeds €10 billion.