Public consultation on the Dublin to Drogheda DART line, which will feature new battery-electric carriages, has begun.
Funded under the National Development Plan 2021 to 2030 by the National Transport Authority, the extension of the DART to Drogheda is part of the DART+ programme.
The aim of the programme is to more than double the commuter capacity and treble the electrification of the Greater Dublin Area rail network.
The DART+ coastal route will more than double the service and passenger capacity from Drogheda to the city centre by increasing trains from 11 to 24 and capacity for commuters from 12,500 to 26,000 per three-hour peak period.
The overall programme will provide electrification of lines on DART+ West to Maynooth/M3 Parkway, on DART+ South-West to Hazelhatch and DART+ Coastal North to Drogheda.
DART+ Coastal South will also see key infrastructure works as far as Greystones to allow more trains to operate.
The Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, Jim Meade, said he hopes to see the increased service on the Drogheda commuter route in around two and a half years.
He said the public consultation will allow communities to provide feedback on the plans, which he said is central to the ongoing design process.
Mr Meade is encouraging communities along the route to engage with the consultation process and have their say.
