The vision for Cork as a city to live, work, visit and invest in, planned under the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS), has rail as the backbone of its sustainable transport system.
The move from strategy of this ambitious vision begins in 2022, with Iarnród Éireann – supported by the National Transport Authority – boosting the frequency of train services, entering the planning process for key infrastructure elements, and continuing work to deliver higher speeds connecting Cork and other major cities.
As part of the CMATS strategy to deliver an integrated, sustainable transport network for Cork, the city’s commuter rail system and service will be developed to include:
• Train frequency and capacity to build to 16 million passenger journeys per annum
• A 62 kilometre high-frequency network between Midleton, Cobh and Mallow
• Eight new stations, and enhancements to existing stations
In Association with
• 10 kilometres of dual-track to Midleton
• Electrification of the Cork Commuter rail network to ensure emission-free travel.
This summer sees the ambitious plans start the journey to the delivery phase, with a major train frequency boost on the Cork to Cobh and Cork to Midleton lines.
From Monday 18th July, Iarnród Éireann doubles the number of weekday trains operating during daytime off-peak on both lines, from every 60 minutes each way currently, to the current peak frequency of every 30 minutes, to/from both Cobh and Midleton.
For Glounthaune and Little Island, served by trains on both lines, this means a turn-up-and-go frequency of every 15 minutes each way between 06:45hrs and 19:45hrs. In total, 32 extra train services will operate every weekday on the Cork commuter network.
Additionally, the planning processes for the €185 million EU-supported infrastructure programme, to build the frequency further of services to match the CMATS vision, are commencing:
• Planning permission is being sought for a new through platform at Kent Station
• Public consultation will begin soon for a second track between Glouthaune and Midleton
• Design works for the resignalling of the commuter network are underway.
Together, the three projects will provide the capacity for growth to the high-frequency network planned under CMATS, ensuring future fleet investment, new stations and electrification works will immediately yield benefits.
As well as within the city, key connections from Cork to Dublin and other major cities are being strengthened.
• Ongoing investment in journey time improvements on the Cork to Dublin line will enable Iarnród Éireann to deliver speed benefits, ultimately achieving a 2-hour journey time
• Double-tracking of Limerick to Limerick Junction will enable faster, direct Cork to Limerick services
• Helping businesses move their goods as well as their people more sustainably is at the heart of Iarnród Éireann’s Rail Freight 2040 Strategy, with Port of Cork as a Tier 1 Port targeted to be reconnected to the national rail network.
The needs of business, communities and commuters are at the heart of the development in the rail service. The growth of Cork envisaged under Project Ireland 2040 demands sustainable growth, and the high-frequency service will integrate with other public transport modes, and support active travel.
Cork has long been at the forefront in Ireland of complementary land use and transport planning. Iarnród Éireann will continue to work with the NTA, national and local government, and business, tourism and community groups, so the success and growth of Cork is sustainably delivered. So those who live here, those who work and study here, those who visit here, and those who invest here thrive as the city, county and region grows and strengthens.
The decade for delivery is now.
