Rail Users Ireland Forum - View Single Post - [article] DART trains to run every 10 minutes to cope with passenger increases

Inniskeen · 12-04-2015, 11:08

There are a whole host of factors that determine demand for services including frequency, journey time, cost, comfort and convenience of access to stations.

Yes a higher frequency of DART trains may well generate some modest additional short-haul business but there is a fundamental incompatability between an increased frequency of DART trains averaging 20 mph and a viable mainline/outer suburban service running at 70 to 90 mph on the existing infrastructure.

Joiurney times along the northern line already compare unfavourably with NIR outer suburban services from Belfast to Portadown both in terms of frequency and journey time. More significantly the combination of severe overcrowding, minimal frequency and slow journeys means that as demand has grown most of the additional journeys (public transport or otherwise is now via the M1). A higher frequency of DART's in the absence of additional running lines simply exacerbates the situation.

You are correct about the Enterprise, most of the existing conflicts could be relatively easily timetabled out without impacting on the existing DART service pattern and, apart from the 0650 from Belfast, are not primarily due to DART. Greater DART frequency on a fixed interval, all stops pattern means journey time increases of 6 to 12 minutes for both Belfast and longer distance commuter servces not to mention additional conflict with Maynooth and future Kildare services. Airport DART, DART underground and DART extensions will have a more dramatic effect and could see minimum journey times to most stations north of Skerries increase by 15 to 20 minutes.

At the present time the major portion of the existing peak-period DART service is provided by six or even four car trains. On the whole, off peak services are easily covered by four car trains with two car trains more than sufficient later after 2000. There is no pressing need for increased frequency given the consequential damage to other services and the ready ability to cater for most additional demand using larger sets.

12-04-2015, 11:08	#17
Inniskeen Really Regular Poster Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 951	There are a whole host of factors that determine demand for services including frequency, journey time, cost, comfort and convenience of access to stations. Yes a higher frequency of DART trains may well generate some modest additional short-haul business but there is a fundamental incompatability between an increased frequency of DART trains averaging 20 mph and a viable mainline/outer suburban service running at 70 to 90 mph on the existing infrastructure. Joiurney times along the northern line already compare unfavourably with NIR outer suburban services from Belfast to Portadown both in terms of frequency and journey time. More significantly the combination of severe overcrowding, minimal frequency and slow journeys means that as demand has grown most of the additional journeys (public transport or otherwise is now via the M1). A higher frequency of DART's in the absence of additional running lines simply exacerbates the situation. You are correct about the Enterprise, most of the existing conflicts could be relatively easily timetabled out without impacting on the existing DART service pattern and, apart from the 0650 from Belfast, are not primarily due to DART. Greater DART frequency on a fixed interval, all stops pattern means journey time increases of 6 to 12 minutes for both Belfast and longer distance commuter servces not to mention additional conflict with Maynooth and future Kildare services. Airport DART, DART underground and DART extensions will have a more dramatic effect and could see minimum journey times to most stations north of Skerries increase by 15 to 20 minutes. At the present time the major portion of the existing peak-period DART service is provided by six or even four car trains. On the whole, off peak services are easily covered by four car trains with two car trains more than sufficient later after 2000. There is no pressing need for increased frequency given the consequential damage to other services and the ready ability to cater for most additional demand using larger sets. Last edited by Inniskeen : 12-04-2015 at 11:11.