Dublin Metro line to cost 5 Billion

**galwayhoop** · 30/08/2007, 9:48 AM

Originally Posted by Jebus

On that point, aren't the tracks in Ireland completely the wrong shape to ever bring in anything close to France's 'bullet trains'?

of course the problem is that the culture of the irish people is more geared toward getting as much as possible on an individual basis. cpo's are a massive expense on the country. there is no 'greater good' feeling in our country. due to this we will always have to use the existing network and train routes. though i'm sure if the existing train routes - those in use and those no longer in use - were fully utilised then we wouldn't need the 'bullet trains'.

although perhaps someone in iarnrod eireann could have had a chat with someone in the NRA when land was being acquired for the new motorway/dual carraigeways and set aside the few extra feet needed for train lines beside the roads. would have cost fcuk all at that stage (on top of what was paid for the roads) but would require a whole new set of cpo's now.

another example of the lack of forward thinking in our state bodies methinks

**pete** · 30/08/2007, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by galwayhoop

although perhaps someone in iarnrod eireann could have had a chat with someone in the NRA when land was being acquired for the new motorway/dual carraigeways and set aside the few extra feet needed for train lines beside the roads. would have cost fcuk all at that stage (on top of what was paid for the roads) but would require a whole new set of cpo's now.

A practice that appears to be fairly common in Developed countries. I would however require longer overpass bridges on Motorways. I think however the NRA like to do things their own way even if the rest of the world does it differently.

**galwayhoop** · 04/09/2007, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by pete

A practice that appears to be fairly common in Developed countries. I would however require longer overpass bridges on Motorways. I think however the NRA like to do things their own way even if the rest of the world does it differently.

yes but in the main both could run side by side. minor problems like junctions and overpasses and the extra expense of them would be miniscule compared to a whole raft of new CPO's to put in a proper train service.

I remember a few years ago when the gas lines were going in, that the high speed broadband decided they would piggy back the project. however as it wasn't mentioned at the start of the CPO process they were told it was not allowed - cue a whole new raft of CPO's for the broadband!!!

in such a small country it is absolutely horrendous how state and semi state bodies cannot work together on national projects!! unfortunately it will always be this way as those in middle management need to justify their positions. the sooner we strip these tunnel visioned nimkenpoops from our public service the better.

ideally a single body would CPO various lands for state use and allow all services, roads, trains, pipes and wires to use the same lands, yes you would need to probably obtain more lands initally but you would do it once instead of 5 times for the same routes! it is so simple in theory but with morons in each and every county/city council it will never happen.

**pete** · 25/10/2007, 1:51 PM

There was another good article on this in I think last Saturdays Irish Times.

There was a quote from Bertie in i think 2005 (not sure they year) where he said Metro too expensive as would cost 4.5 billion but last year the RPA started this project again with costs starting at the 5 billion...

IMO the only reason this progressing was due to 2007 election & the RPA officials trying to keeping jobs for themselves as they don't have anything to do if no Metro/Luas developments...

**Student Mullet** · 25/10/2007, 3:17 PM

How much of the 5 billion is construction costs?

**mypost** · 25/10/2007, 4:17 PM

Came into Connolly yesterday afternoon, and saw the "train", or rather orange/black rust bucket sitting on the platform, awaiting the delayed

service to Sligo. With the filthy windows, horrible looking seats, and panel scratches on the outside, the only place it looked fit for going was the scrapyard.

Some poor souls sat in that for 3 hours. And they tell us that they're rolling out new trains atm??

**Dodge** · 25/10/2007, 8:34 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

Came into Connolly yesterday afternoon, and saw the "train", or rather orange/black rust bucket sitting on the platform, awaiting the delayed

service to Sligo. With the filthy windows, horrible looking seats, and panel scratches on the outside, the only place it looked fit for going was the scrapyard.

Some poor souls sat in that for 3 hours. And they tell us that they're rolling out new trains atm??

Was on the sligo train last Friday (work in Mullingar for the day) and it was the most modern train I've seen in Ireland.

Just for balance...

**onceahoop** · 25/10/2007, 9:33 PM

Originally Posted by Student Mullet

How much of the 5 billion is construction costs?

Couldn't give a monkeys. If the people of Tallaght and Dundrum and other points west and south of the Liffey can have the Luas, why can't us culchies out in North County Dublin have a rapid rail system. It's expected that in twenty years the population of Swords will exceed 100,000 and when you add on increases in Donabate, Lusk, Rush and Skerries it's imperative that a system is put in place wahtever the cost. There's no room for a third railwayline because of the amount of houses built next to the railway line so an increase in the train service is hard to imagine.

**pete** · 26/10/2007, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by onceahoop

It's expected that in twenty years the population of Swords will exceed 100,000 and when you add on increases in Donabate, Lusk, Rush and Skerries it's imperative that a system is put in place wahtever the cost.

The proposed 5 billion Metro does not have enough capacity to cater for current demand let alone increased populations. If the underground station is built for 3 carraige trains then you cannot just increase the size of the trains. There are even doubts if the Metro could break even on day to day operations.

**mypost** · 26/10/2007, 1:34 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Was on the sligo train last Friday (work in Mullingar for the day) and it was the most modern train I've seen in Ireland.

They're all on the Dublin-Cork route. They were launched 18 months ago, after the IR strike. Most of the Sligo trains are nice, modern Commuter trains, but the train going to Sligo was the second such one I've seen this week, leaving at the same time.

Originally Posted by onceahoop

why can't us culchies out in North County Dublin have a rapid rail system.

You do. It's called the DART.

**gael353** · 26/10/2007, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by Torn-Ado

Thats never ever going to happen.

quite true as the line to Galway is in fact a feeder line from Athenry, but the western corridor line linking Limerick to athenry will be done in 3 years.