Dart extension to Wicklow accelerates as market engagement begins

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Iarnród Éireann has officially triggered the next phase of its Dart expansion, advertising a major contract to bring high-frequency rail services to Wicklow town by 2029. The move fast-tracks the project by nearly a decade compared to original long-term transport strategies.

The centrepiece of this announcement is the launch of the pre-qualification questionnaire online for the design and build of specialised charging infrastructure. As the line south of Greystones lacks overhead wires, Iarnród Éireann will deploy new battery electric trains. Key technical works at

Wicklow Station will include a new facility to provide high-voltage power for rapid battery replenishment, specialised charging bars installed on platforms 1 and 2.

Trains will run on standard overhead power from Dublin to Greystones, lower their pantographs to run on battery power to Wicklow, and then recharge while stationary at the platform before the return journey.

The charging project is part of the broader Wicklow Rail Capacity Enhancement Project, which aims to deliver one Dart service per hour in each direction. In tandem with rail upgrades, Wicklow Station is set for a significant redevelopment, including:

A new 5.5-metre-wide pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting the Port Access Road directly to the platforms, bypassing town centre traffic.

The new Alstom-built fleet features low-level floors and sliding steps, allowing most passengers with reduced mobility to board unassisted. Plans also include a new northern car park with EV charging, underground bike storage, and a three-bay bus interchange.

Iarnród Éireann CEO Mary Considine described the tender launch as a "significant milestone" for sustainable transport in the region.

“The flexibility offered by the battery-electric Darts means more of the growing Wicklow community can access more sustainable transport more quickly, truly supporting rail as the backbone of our sustainable transport network.”

Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien noted this approach accelerates the timeline by roughly eight years, with construction aiming to start in 2027 for a 2029 operational launch.

“The NDP Transport Sectoral Investment Plan, which my Department published last November, provides funding to advance this project, which is planned for delivery around 2029. This represents a significant acceleration compared to the plans previously set out in the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042, which would have seen the Dart extension to Wicklow progressed no earlier than 2037.

“The accelerated delivery of this project demonstrates this Government’s commitment to advancing infrastructure projects more quickly and delivering sustainable mobility in support of our decarbonisation goals.”

The move has also been welcomed by local representatives including Cllr Gail Dunne.

Cllr Dunne has consistently made rail connectivity a top priority in his work, frequently highlighting that Wicklow town is under pressure due to recent housing developments and requires sustainable transport to support its growing population.

“This is a major step forward for Wicklow, delivering more frequent, reliable and greener public transport for our community, and something I will continue to strongly support,” he added in a post on social media.