Study to examine ways of boosting train capacity on Athlone route
Iarnród Éireann has commissioned a new report on identifying ways to increase capacity, frequency and line speed on the Galway to Dublin rail corridor.
The company said last week that the Galway to Dublin route saw its highest-ever number of passengers in 2024, with 2.56 million journeys completed. Additional services were added to the timetable last August, with up to 12 journeys now operating in each direction on a daily basis.
Last week, Iarnród Éireann said it had appointed consultants Jacobs to carry out a study focusing on "frequency and journey time improvements" on the Galway-Dublin line, which serves Ballinasloe, Athlone, Clara and Tullamore.
The process is only at an early stage, however, with the preferred options identified in the Jacobs study not expected to emerge until "the second half of 2026", at which point Government funding would have to be sought for the implementation of any of the report's recommendations.
The study will focus on the Portarlington to Galway section of the rail line, which is predominantly single-track in nature, leading to the potential for significant delays in both directions whenever a train suffers a mechanical problem or other such issue.
"Funded by the National Transport Authority, Jacobs will identify and recommend infrastructure solutions to increase the capacity and resilience of the 142 kilometre route," Iarnród Éireann stated.
The double-tracking of "key sections of the route" is one of the potential enhancements due to be examined in the study, while "additional platforms and passing loop track sections, signalling improvements and other options for increased capacity" are also earmarked for consideration.
Plans are currently in place for a second platform and passing loop at Oranmore, subject to funding, and an extensive redevelopment of Ceannt Station in Galway, which includes additional platforms, has been underway since last year and is scheduled to be completed around the middle of next year.
Commenting on the Jacobs study on the Portarlington to Galway stretch of the rail line, Marcello Corsi, NTA Head of Rail Investment, said: "NTA welcomes the progress on this project.
"We look forward to engaging with the project team to identify the potential for this key public transport corridor, with the ultimate aim of making travelling by rail more attractive to more people."
Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, Jim Meade added: "At Iarnród Éireann we are delighted that a study is underway on these key infrastructure developments.
"We believe strongly that providing frequent and reliable rail services to more and more communities will greatly assist in reducing reliance on private cars and will go a long way to meeting Ireland's climate action targets."