THE
prospect of a DART link to Dublin Airport moved a step closer last week when
Iarnród �ireann submitted a business case to the Minister for Transport,
Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority.
The
?¬200 million project would deliver direct Airport to city centre DART services
through the construction of a seven-kilometre rail line from Clongriffin to the
airport.
According
to the business case, prepared by AECOM and Goodbody Economic Consultants, a
very reliable Airport to city centre journey time of 25 minutes would be
delivered, and the line could be operational by 2016.
It
also found that:
?¢
The project would deliver an exceptionally high rate of economic return on
investment, with economic benefits of up to
?¬1 billion.
?¢
The number of passengers travelling by DART would increase significantly,
rising by an additional 9.4 million passengers per annum, representing more
than a 50 per cent increase over current use of the service.
?¢
The project has significant tourism, business and environmental benefits
?¢
Fare revenue would comfortably exceed operating costs, with no requirement for
an operational subsidy
?¢
The Airport DART would complement the proposed DART Underground project.
Iarnród
Ã?ireann has commenced preliminary discussions with the Dublin Airport Authority
to identify preferred alignments and station locations within the airport site.