DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit)

The DART is Dublin’s answer to the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) in San Francisco. The DART is the suburban railway network that travels along the coast of Dublin from Bray to Howth although it cuts through the city centre in the middle. The trains are run electrically which allows them to run cleanly and efficiently between stops.

The DART was first operated in 1984. Although the DART is well over 20 years old, plans to modernize and improve the system are included in the Transport 21 plan. The DART is to be extended, and will run from Heuston Station to Spencer Dock through a tunnel. Other extensions and improvements are planned for the future of DART although many people remain pessimistic.

The Transport 21 plan is a commitment of 34 billion euro to improve infrastructure and to greatly expand the transport network in Ireland. It promises better integration of the current transport systems, the re-opening of old railway lines and the construction of a metro.  

Below are the stations along the DART network from North to South: Malahide, Portmarnock, Howth, Sutton, Bayside, Howth Junction, Kilbarrack, Raheney, Harmonstown, Killester, Clontarf, Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse, Grand Canal Dock, Lansdowne Road, Sandymout, Sydney Parade, Booterstown, Blackrock, Seapoint, Salthill & Monkstown, Dun Laoghaire, Sandycove & Glasthule, Glenageary, Dalkey, Killiney, Shankhill, Bray and Greystones.

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