Dublin Metrolink (just Metrolink posts here -see post #1 )

MJohnston wrote: »

It's hilarious to me that they're bundling the tail end of Luas Cross City into this cap-ex, and also including new Metro North even though they won't start on it till 2021!

That's the thing that caught me out. What kind of a B.S. plan for current infrastructure development doesn't even break ground for at least 5 years?

joe_99 wrote: »

Construction commencing in 2021. So if the government are re-elected construction still won't have started during their next term in office. I fear this will never happen.

That's what I really don't understand - I know construction couldn't start tomorrow or even perhaps in 6 months; but surely a view to commencing construction in 2017 or so would be doable?

I'd love if the media went with the headlines of "Metro North delayed for another 12 years" rather than regurgitate the government's press release. The fuc*ers need to be embarrassed.

the only saving grace is, I doubt after this recession, if they could foist the joke of a luas proposal on us now, just as we come out of the recession, it is out of the equation totally going into the future...

Airport Luas and people mover cancelled in favour of an optimised metro north - what great news, it will be so much better for the people of these areas in the next few years.

Whats that?

Well, its more of a promise, we havnt given any money to the project and we reckon it will start in 2021 and be finished in 2027.

Right - well i suppose at least it is the right project so better than fudging it. You're not doing anything stupid are you?

Well to save €79 million we're going to shorten the platforms.

But what if that needs to change in the future, wont extending tunnels underground cost multiples of that amount.

Sure we were able to widen the M50 werent we?

Carawaystick wrote: »

Only to spend 379 million later to lengthen them... :rolleyes:

"compromise"

Ren2k7 wrote: »

Probably because it has to go through the planning process all over again given OMN is a new scheme from the currently approved MN.

Is it possible to apply to amend the current railway order with the changes that MN 2.0 brings, or does a new one have to be applied for in any case?

Here's my answer.

Despite running along the same route as the previous scheme, the new line will need to be planned from scratch and the old “railway order” - the planning permission granted for the line by An Bord Pleanála in October 2010 - cannot be reused.

However the €170 million spent on the previous metro, largely in its planning and design, will not be wasted, according to Mr Donohoe.

“A new railway order will be needed because of the changes I have announced today. The €170 million that has already been invested in the design of the old project - much of that will be used again to enable and support the design works that will take place.”

yermanoffthetv wrote: »

Route map

I think the decision to go with shorter trams is short sighted and a serious error of judgement. The 60m length is not much more than the luas green line and they are absoutely wedged morning rushour. Add to that airport passangers with suitcases and luggage and were all set for another fiasco.

Im just back from Munich an I had the pleasure of ridinding around on the ubahn and sbahn. Munich is not terribly larger than Dublin and they opperate up to 120m heavy rail trains (3 double carriges). Taking into account the larger population, 90m trams would have been the right choice for the paltry extra expense.

Look on the bright side.

It'll never be built.

crushproof wrote: »

Any sensible person can see that the 60m length in totally inadequate and will lead to spending more in the future (as well as the associated closures - remember the DART in the early 2000s).

But they don't care, why would they? When was the last time they had to rely on the bus from Swords? Or get stuck in gridlock on the N3? Or get delayed on the DART due to congestion on the Loopline bridge? I'm fuming tonight.

Yep, any problems with getting about and you call the guards.

Ministers should have to spend one day a week on public transport.

Irish Steve wrote: »

The only use of this shambles in respect of the airport will be people that work there, and don't need to bring luggage of any sort, given that there is NO connection to ANY other public transport system at either end, so if you were to be so stupid as to expect to connect to anything, this half baked mess won't provide it.

I can't help wondering if the Dardistown stop will become the one for staff to use, there will be a new off airport staff car park there, so that the DAA (effectively the government) can develop the massive number of acres that are at present in use for (essential) staff parking for other things.

Connects to the green line at Stephens green, and really ought to connect with the red line on OCS and commuter/future dart at drumcondra.

But no matter as this is never getting built.

The context is the still historically-low spend on capital investment as a share of GDP.None of the media reports has highlighted this.

Capital plan is [URL="file:///C:/Users/enrights/Downloads/NCIP-Online.pdf"]here[/URL].


Transport capital spend is set to nearly double by 2021, but slowly, and from its very low base of just over €1bn now.



By way of context, in 2008 capital expenditure on land transport was nearly €3bn.

Split between road and public transport. Public transport spend actually set to fall by 2017 (presumably as Luas Cross City gets finished).

I am surprised with the extent of negativity but also the contrasting views between this forum and elsewhere. Obviously here there is strong criticism about the plans not going far enough but a huge amount of comments I see on the likes of Facebook are in strong contrast. These people are saying it is a disgrace that they are going ahead with Metro North, it's not needed and a waste of money that could be better spent elsewhere. I think it highlights the strong pressure the Government are under from both sides of the argument and this does seem to be a compromise.

Well hopefully in 11 years time we will be celebrating the successful opening on Metro North! Much like the success of Luas, minus the lack of a city centre connection of course.

Edit: I'd also be interested to know the location of the stop at the airport. How close will it be to the terminals etc?

How else would posters propose we sanction the expenditure of very large amounts of our money other than by the votes of representatives elected by popular ballot?