Exploring the possibility of an underground electric rail system for Dublin.

CIE's General Manager John Byrne outlines plans for a study to explore the viability of an underground rail system for Dublin. It is estimated that the results of the study will be published next year when a decision will be made about the future of the Dublin public transport system.

A growing number of commuters availing of CIE's public transport services means that they have now reached capacity and improvements need to be made. If the decision is made not to go underground, John Byrne outlines alternatives such as re-equipping and extending the existing suburban line. The study will also examine the possibility of putting a suburban rail line from Dublin city centre to the airport.

Whatever the result it is about getting,

The right balance of traffic between underground railways, suburban railways, buses and private cars, and of course walking which is also important.

John Byrne also believes that in the event of long term oil shortages, the railway systems will have to be electric.

An RTÉ News report broadcast on 12 December 1973. The reporter is Tom McCaughren.