IRISH RAIL HAS confirmed the extension of Dart services to Kilcock in Co Kildare.

It has also announced plans for a new train depot to service and house a fleet of up to 750 new Dart carriages, the first of which are currently undergoing testing and safety approvals before entering service in 2027.

When fully operational the Depot will provide more than 100 new positions for skilled maintenance staff according to Irish Rail.

With the new proposed location of the DART+ depot west of Kilcock, electrification and DART services will now be extended to serve the growing Kildare town.

The semi-state has launched a public consultation on an updated location for the new DART+ Depot.

File photo of Kilcock station in Co Kildare. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

With the new proposed location of the DART+ Depot west of Kilcock, electrification and DART services will now be extended to serve the growing Kildare town as part of delivery of the DART+ Programme.

Currently served by nine trains each way daily, and hourly at peak, the rail company said the extension will now deliver infrastructure to support Darts up to every 10 minutes each way during peak time for Kilcock.

Unveiling the plans at Kilcock Station today, Irish Rail chief executive Mary Considine said that it has the potential to “transform public transport in the locality”, by bringing Dart services to a growing community.

“A more sustainable, more frequent and more reliable rail system will support more people to get out of the car and on to the train, and will be a key enabler for housing development,” Consideine said.

She said plans for the new depot are will help ensure the company maintains the new DART+ Fleet as it grows, and provide more trains across the network to lines and communities that really need them.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said that the plan is a major step forward in providing a place to house and service the new DART fleet.

“I am also pleased that we have been able to use the opportunity presented by identifying a new location for the depot to also extend the DART service to Kilcock,” O’Brien added.

“This will enable us to provide even more people with access to a high capacity rail service operating at a “turn up and go” level of frequency at peak times.”

In addition, Irish Rail’s Intercity services will continue to stop at Kilcock Station and there will be more accessible Dart carriages for local passengers.

An upgraded Kilcock Station will include a second track between Maynooth and Kilcock, a new platform and a fully accessible pedestrian access bridge with lifts.

Subject to receipt of a Railway Order and funding approvals, the DART+ Depot is targeted for completion in 2031.