DUBLIN, Ireland — In a landmark move for Ireland’s sustainable transport future, Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) has finalized a €160 million contract with Alstom for an additional 100 X’trapolis electric multiple unit (EMU) carriages. Announced on December 22, 2025, this third major order under the DART+ Programme signals the impending retirement of the original 1984 fleet and a massive expansion of rail capacity across the Greater Dublin Area.
This latest investment brings the total government commitment to new electric and battery-electric rolling stock to approximately €670 million, securing a total of 285 new carriages (57 five-car train sets) to date.
Retiring an Icon: The End of the 1984 Fleet
The primary objective of this 100-carriage order is to replace the original 8100 Class trains—the iconic green carriages that have served the coastal Greystones-to-Howth/Malahide line since the DART first launched over 40 years ago.
While the original fleet has been a testament to durability, record-breaking demand has pushed the system to its limits. In 2025, DART services saw a record 23 million passenger journeys, with another 16 million on commuter lines. The new fleet is designed to meet this “sardine-can” pressure with a significant leap in modern engineering.
The X’trapolis Advantage: What Passengers Can Expect
Manufactured at Alstom’s Chorzów facility in Poland, the new five-carriage X’trapolis sets are roughly equivalent in length to current four-car sets but utilize wide, walk-through gangways to maximize internal space and security.
Key Features of the New Fleet:
- Massive Capacity: When two five-car sets are joined into a 10-carriage train, it will carry at least 1,100 passengers—the highest capacity operable on current infrastructure.
- Accessibility First: Low-floor heights and automatic retractable steps aim to provide unassisted level access from modern platforms.
- Commuter Tech: Onboard features include high-resolution real-time displays, USB-C charging points, and dedicated storage for bicycles and e-scooters.
- Energy Efficiency: Designed for a low-carbon future, the fleet includes battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) capable of travelling up to 80km “off-wire” to serve non-electrified routes like Dublin-to-Drogheda.
DART+ Fleet Expansion Roadmap
This order is part of a broader 10-year framework agreement that allows for up to 750 carriages to be commissioned as the DART+ network grows from 50km to over 150km.
| Order Phase | Carriage Count | Primary Deployment | Entry Into Service |
| Order 1 | 95 | Dublin to Drogheda (Commuter) | H1 2027 |
| Order 2 | 90 | DART+ Network Expansion | 2028 |
| Order 3 | 100 | Greystones to Malahide/Howth (DART) | 2029 |
Note: 155 of the total 285 carriages ordered to date are battery-electric units (BEMUs), supported by new fast-charging infrastructure at Drogheda station.
Strategic Impact: A Double-Capacity Future
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien described the order as a “demonstration of the Government’s commitment to rail,” part of a larger €10 billion investment in public transport infrastructure. By the time the full DART+ Programme is realized—including DART+ West, South West, and Coastal projects—the rail capacity in the Greater Dublin Area is expected to double.
For commuters, the transition marks more than just new seats; it is the final decoupling from 20th-century infrastructure in favor of a 21st-century, zero-emissions commuter network.
Alstom Innotrans Trains Picture by Matti Blume
