The Project
The Metro Dublin project goes beyond providing a metro for Dublin. It looks to turn Dublin into a world leader in public transport. For this to be achieved, the scope has to be set ambitiously. This means, facilitating new Intercity connections, removing choke points in National Network, connecting the whole Island to Dublin Airport, densifying Dublin and expanding urban connections.
All sections are designed to run grade separated from the Irish Rail network, while some section will having the capacity to support National Rail services (e.g. Donabate/ Malahide - Dublin Airport - Heuston West) to create enhanced connections for Commuter and Intercity services. |
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For development purposes, Metro Dublin is divided into six
contract sections as shown in the image, with the existing The DART line marked as ‘7’. These sections are: 1. Glasnevin/Heuston/Docklands – 7.2km 2. Malahide & Donabate/Swords/Glasnevin – 21.2km 3. Adamstown/Heuston/Phibsborough – 15.8km 4. Blanchardstown/Glasnevin/Docklands – 13.5km 5. Ashbourne/Finglas/Glasnevin – 17.2km 6. Howth Jnc/O’Connell St/Rathfarnham & Templeogue – 17.1km |
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The Spine connects the Northern Line (while supporting connections to the Southern Line) to the South Western Line with a major interchange to Western Line. This facilitates a network that you can reach Dublin Airport from any part of the country by rail with only maximum of a single changeover.
This connection, creates the opportunity to run continuous services between Belfast City and Cork City via Dublin Airport and Dublin City Centre, as well as serving as the perfect starting point for a new line to Derry~Londonderry and Letterkenny via Ashbourne and Navan.
Recently Ireland has signed to a provisional EU agreement 'Ten-T' where by 2040, all EU airports with 12 million+ PAX per year must be connected by National Rail services. As Dublin Airport is expected to reach 40 million PAX per year by 2030, this is the perfect time to connect the island to it's Gateway to the World and create a stronger economic for our future. |
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Dublin Airport is one of Europe's busiest airports, with passenger numbers in 2023 hit 34 million. By 2030, that number is expected to reach as high as 40 million per year. As Ireland's gateway to the world continues to grow, the infrastructure needs to keep with it.
Currently the plan is to serve the airport with a combination of enough buses to carry 35 million passengers per year, as well as the planned NTA project, MetroLink (due for operation 2038). An airport as busy as Dublin needs a state of the art National Transport Hub, especially with the recent Ten-T agreement.
Dublin Airport would serve as National Transport Hub, creating a seamless interchange between the Airport and all modes of transport.
This transport hub would be located under the Dublin Airport campus and consist of: - 6 Platform Rail Station facilitating, Metro, Intercity and DART services (with scope to integrate with NTA projects MetroLink and Clongriffin Spur) - City and Intercity Bus Station - 396 Car Park Spaces - Bicycle Parking - Taxi Rank - Access to HAST (Hub and Shuttle Train) |
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In our submission, we identified glaring gaps in the review, such as not address the choke point or bottleneck points such as the approach to Connolly Station and Portarlington Station. For the planned heavy investment in rail, its imperative for these to be addressed for a smooth and enhanced network.
Another gap was the exclusion of a first mile/ last mile integrated system in Cork City. (circle line)
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Embracing densification offers a solution by optimising land use and infrastructure, fostering vibrant communities, and curbing urban sprawl. Many other European cities, such as Madrid, London, Amsterdam, and Barcelona, have successfully implemented densification strategies in tandem with it's transport infrastructure.
The Metro Dublin Development aims to completely transform the way stations are developed in Ireland. Looking across Europe, large scale multi use developments are built above and in tandem with the stations, helping to densify town centres and rejuvenating areas into bustling and vibrant communities. This creates a significantly stronger and more balanced local and national economy. Madrid went from the 20th most wealthy city in Europe to the 3rd, after Paris and London, when the metro and associated densification developments were complete.
Our stations will serve as catalysts for profound positive changes in the local areas, leveraging densification to generate numerous benefits for the community. This includes bolstering the housing stock, enhancing commercial districts, fostering tourism with new hotel developments, accommodating students, and generating employment opportunities, all while maintaining harmony with the surrounding environment. |
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Maglev technology has been a successful experiment the world over. Our 'Core' line, Howth Junction - Rathfarnham/ Templeogue, would be Europe's first commercial Maglev service. The Core is the only completely segregated line from the rest of the system, allowing such a mode to be possible.
What is Maglev exactly?
Maglev technology presents a myriad of benefits over conventional rail systems. Firstly, Maglev trains operate without physical contact between the train and the track, utilizing magnetic levitation to hover above the guideway. This absence of friction leads to smoother rides, significantly reducing wear and tear on both the train and the track, consequently lowering maintenance costs and extending the lifespan of the infrastructure. Moreover, Maglev trains have the capability to achieve remarkably higher speeds than traditional rail systems, offering swift and efficient transportation over long distances. The absence of wheels also eliminates rolling resistance, enabling Maglev trains to ascend steeper gradients with ease, thus facilitating more direct and flexible route planning. Additionally, Maglev trains are renowned for their quiet operation, producing minimal noise pollution compared to conventional trains, which is especially advantageous for urban environments. Overall, the innovative design and superior performance of Maglev technology promise to revolutionize the future of transportation by offering unparalleled efficiency, speed, and sustainability.
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The Metro Shuttle Feeder Bus services are a frequent short distance service set to fill that gap. For a rail and metro system to work as effieicently as possible, buses play a large part in that by 'Feeding the Beast', meaning the shuttle buses act as that crucial last mile roll for the 10s of thousands that are currently restricted with public transport.
The Routes
The feeder routes run in tandem with the current TFI services while running their own alternative routes, connecting communities that are unserved or more that 500m away from public transport. Metro 1 or simply 'M1', services the 3 towns of Loughshinny, Rush and Lusk, connecting them to Rush and Lusk Rail station, soon to be served by DART+. Metro 2 or simply 'M2' services the 3 towns of Dunshaughlin, Ratoath and Ashbourne, connecting them to Ashbourne Metro Station, with further connections to Island Rail services to Navan/ Letterkenny/ Dublin Airport and Derry~Londonderry. |
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Creating a 120km system across Madrid in just five years, Maynar's unwavering dedication and strategic prowess ensured seamless integration with existing infrastructure. In comparison to the Elizabeth Line was built with 21km worth of tunnel, the Madrid Metro was completed in less time, showcasing Maynar's ability to overcome challenges and maintain exceptional quality. Today, the Madrid Metro stands as a testament to Maynar's enduring legacy, transforming transportation in the city and inspiring future generations in urban planning.
Melis and his exceptional team orchestrated a complete transformation of Madrid, yielding profound improvements in various aspects of the city. Their efforts not only revitalised the struggling economy, propelling Madrid to become the third strongest economy in Europe, closely following the likes of Paris and London, but also led to an unprecedented leap in the quality of life experienced by its residents. This transformative period brought about levels of prosperity and livability never before seen in Madrid, positioning the city as a shining example of successful urban rejuvenation under Melis' visionary leadership.
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