Calls for improved DART services from Greystones on weekends and bank holidays
The Wicklow PeopleIrish Rail and the National Transport Authority (NTA) are facing renewed calls to improve Dart services from Greystones on weekends and bank holidays.
The railway operator currently operates an hourly service south of Bray station. However, Cllr Stephen Stokes believes that trains should be every 30 minutes to match the weekday service. He welcomed the successful passing of a motion at a recent district meeting about the issue.
The motion was tabled by Cllr Stephen Stokes, which received unanimous support from his district colleagues. The motion requests that at the next timetable update, Irish Rail and the NTA seek to introduce trains to and from Greystones every 30 minutes on weekends and bank holidays.
Cllr Stokes chairs the Transport and Emergency Services Special Policy Committee of Wicklow County Council, which allows him to advocate for improving public transport in the area.
He believes the increase in services in warranted, given the recent surge in population across the north Wicklow region.
“Our public transport services need to keep pace with that growth. While weekday commuting is important, weekends and bank holidays are increasingly busy times for families, workers, tourists and those who rely on public transport to access amenities, employment and social activities.”
Irish Rail has already announced a target of providing Dart services every 20 minutes to and from Greystones on weekdays. However, these improvements are dependent on major infrastructure upgrades between Bray and Greystones under the planned Dart+ Coastal South programme.
Cllr Stephen Stokes noted that while these long-term investments are welcome, there is a clear and immediate need to improve weekend services.
“The planned works are vital, but they will take time. In the meantime, there is a strong case for more frequent weekend and bank holiday services. A 30-minute frequency would significantly improve connectivity, reduce car dependency and encourage greater use of public transport, particularly for leisure and local travel.”
Residents in Greystones have been subject to widespread line closures on weekends and bank holidays in recent years. However now that Woodbrook station has been completed it is hoped that the number of weekend line closures may be reduced.
Cllr Stokes believes improved weekend services would also support local businesses and tourism along the Wicklow coast, while helping to meet climate and sustainability goals by offering a more attractive alternative to private car use.
The independent deputy is looking forward to future engagements with Irish Rail and the NTA to progress the request and ensure that public transport provision reflects the needs of the growing north Wicklow community.