Iarnród Éireann is seeking ways to improve the capacity and resilience of its Ennis to Limerick rail service.
The national railway network operator says potential enhancements on the route would reduce journey times and create more space on both passenger and freight journeys.
Canadian engineering and design consultancy AtkinsRéalis has been hired by Iarnród Éireann to propose infrastructure improvements that would enable the Irish government to grow public transport’s market share thus helping to deliver on its Climate Action Plan.
Among the goals of the multi-disciplinary study is to enhance the rail line which runs between Limerick and Ennis and onto Galway in order to boost capacity and reduce journey times.
The Ennis line enhancements are also intended to assist in plans to increase the number of services running between Limerick and Galway.
The study aims to examine the feasibility of creating new train stations at Ballysimon in County Limerick as well as Kylemore in Dublin.
The Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transports Strategy has identified Ballysimon in particular as a potential location for a new park and ride train station as part of plans for a commuter rail service to serve the county’s population which is described as relying “heavily on private car travel”.
The results of the study are expected in late 2024 and a decision on their progress will be made by the National Transport Authority.
Iarnród Éireann Communications Manager Barry Kenny says as demand increases, the national railway operator will seek to make rail transport more accessible to those in remote areas.
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