Irish Rail passenger numbers back to 90% of pre-Covid levels

A new intercity service between Dublin and Cork was launched last month, which arrives at 8.32am, providing for a pre-9am arrival at Kent Station from Dublin for the first time. Picture: Larry Cummins

The number of journeys with Irish Rail last year rose 27%, as passenger numbers surged towards pre-covid levels.

The company said the estimated 45.5 million journeys in 2023 meant passenger numbers were now 90% of what they were before the pandemic.

Furthermore, it expects a high of 50.1 million to be achieved in 2024.

Irish Rail chief executive Jim Meade said: “From the busiest ever events season to the growing demand across all services, the recovery of demand will mean our ongoing investment projects will be delivered in time to boost capacity as it's needed.” 

Part of these efforts to boost capacity have focused on a number of initiatives in Cork.

In 2023, Irish Rail said all projects in the Cork Area Commuter Rail programme were under way as part of efforts to increase the Cork commuter rail network’s capacity.

This has included double tracking Glounthaune to Midleton, with a railway order granted last year and works to commence in 2024.

Works also began for a new through platform at Kent Station for through running from Mallow to Midleton/Cobh, while the resignalling of the Cork commuter network also got under way.

In all, there were 12.5 million journeys on intercity services in 2023, which were at 96% of pre-covid peaks. A new intercity service between Dublin and Cork was launched last month, which arrives at 8.32am, providing for a pre-9am arrival at Kent Station from Dublin for the first time.

Dart services saw 19.7 million journeys, over 91% of pre-covid demand. In time for its 40th anniversary, Irish Rail said it expects Dart journeys to reach their highest ever level this year.

Commuter routes, meanwhile, saw 13.3 million journeys, which were at 86% of pre-covid levels.

While CSO statistics suggest that, throughout much of 2023, journeys on bus services matched or eclipsed pre-covid levels, Irish Rail numbers remain down.

On commuter routes, specifically, Irish Rail said hybrid working “continues to be a greater feature of commuting” as people work from home more frequently during the week.

Further investment in 2024 will see new carriages enter service, new Dart+ carriages begin to arrive and major rail projects in all Irish cities, the company said.

“As well as 41 new intercity railcar carriages entering service in 2024, the first of 185 Dart+ carriages on order from Alstom will arrive in summer of 2024, to begin testing and commissioning ahead of entering service in 2025,” it said.

“The transformative fleet is central to the Dart+ programme, an investment will allow more trains to operate on all routes on the rail network, provide greater standards of accessibility, and allow for the decarbonisation of all Greater Dublin Area rail services.” 

Meanwhile, Galway's Ceannt Station is set to be regenerated with works to begin this month.

In Waterford, Plunkett Station is being relocated to be “part of an integrated transport hub under plans to develop the city’s North Quays”.

In Limerick, works to reinstate the Limerick to Foynes rail line for freight services will continue, with a 2025 opening date planned.

Mr Meade added: “Growing and new communities will be able to benefit from high capacity, sustainable rail transport services as we deliver in all our major cities, and across the network.”