Wicklow Commuters To Benefit As New DART Trains Set To Transform Coastal Commuting

100 new energy-efficient DART carriages have been ordered. The Department of Transport is funding the new carriages, which will fully replace the original fleet in service since the DART first began operating in 1984.

Wicklow commuters are set to see a major upgrade to their daily journey, as the Department of Transport confirms an order for 100 brand-new, energy-efficient DART carriages.

The new trains will fully replace the original fleet, which has served the Greystones line — running through Wicklow — since the DART first launched in 1984.

The €173.9 million investment marks the final stage of a series of government orders for new DART trains, bringing the total spend on modern, electric-powered carriages to around €670 million.

Wicklow, long served by the coastal DART route from Greystones to Malahide and Howth, will directly benefit from increased capacity, more frequent services, and improved comfort for passengers.

The new 5-carriage train sets will feature wider gangways, allowing passengers to move freely through the full length of the train, as well as enhanced accessibility, bicycle storage, device charging, and CCTV for added security. When joined together as 10-carriage trains, they will be able to carry at least 1,100 passengers — a major boost for Wicklow commuters at peak times.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said the order demonstrates the Government’s commitment to sustainable, reliable public transport, and forms part of the wider DART+ Programme. This programme, including infrastructure upgrades across the Greater Dublin Area, will see the Wicklow line benefit from a full hourly DART service by 2029.

“I’m delighted that Wicklow passengers will see such a tangible improvement to their services,” O’Brien said. “The rollout of these new carriages will ensure the DART continues to meet record passenger demand while providing a safer, more comfortable journey.”

Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Mary Considine added that the longevity of the original DART fleet is “a testament to the durability of electric trains and the dedication of our teams,” and that the new fleet will deliver “real improvements in customer experience for all DART users, including those along the Wicklow route.”

2025 is set to be a record-breaking year for the DART, with over 23 million passenger journeys expected along the Greystones to Malahide/Howth line — the highest number ever. Across all Dublin commuter lines, including Wicklow, a further 16 million journeys are forecast, reflecting the growing importance of public transport in the region.

Construction and delivery of the new trains is scheduled in stages, with services entering operation from 2027, 2028, and the final batch of 100 carriages serving Wicklow from 2029.

For Wicklow commuters, the new DART fleet promises a faster, greener, and more reliable ride along the coast for decades to come.