

Dublin City councillors have been briefed on an alternative Dublin metro proposal which would incorporate and extend Metro North and Dart underground.

Transport planner Cormac Rabbitt of NUI Galway said the metro was first proposed to the government in 2000 and could now be built in five simultaneous contracts in just two years. He said it would cost “about half the cost of Metro North”.

The proposal envisages 33 new stations along a 53 km network, 39km of which would see the new service utilising parallel tracks on existing routes. It would include the Phoenix Park tunnel, additional lines into the city from Blanchardstown and Hazelhatch, and links to exiting Luas and national and suburban railways.

Mr Rabbitt said his proposals would add about 130 million passenger journeys a year to the Dublin public transport network. At a flat fare of €1.65, the service would clear €1 a journey to go towards repayment of the capital cost.

This envisages a net annual revenue of €130 million, which, Mr Rabbitt told members of the council’s transport committee, would pay off construction costs over 20 years. He said rising property values would lead to increased stamp duties for the exchequer and revenues for local authorities.



‘Turn-key’

The council was told the 2000 briefing to government had included a “turn-key” proposal including design, build, finance, operation and maintenance. Mr Rabbitt said Japanese contractors were still prepared to form a consortium.

The proposal would serve the most densely populated areas including Adamstown, Clondalkin, Blanchardstown, Phibsboro, Ballymun, Swords and Malahide. A line from Malahide would connect with Swords, Dublin Airport, Ballymun, Glasnevin and Heuston.

Another line would run from Adamstown via Heuston to St Stephen’s Green and Pearse station and continuing on a loop to Glasnevin, Coolmine and Blanchardstown.