PUBLIC TRANSPORT
At this stage Ireland has 3 different systems of rail transport. Most rail services are provided by Irish Rail in the Republic of Ireland, and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland, connecting the major cities. In the Dublin area, the railway transport is provided by the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) providing public transport along the eastern coastline of the Republic and by the LUAS, a tram system that became in operation in 2004 providing public transport in the Greater Dublin Area.
The RPA (Railway Procurement Agency), which was established in 2001, to provide infrastructure for Light Rail and Metro Projects (RPA) has identified a high-capacity public-transport link to Dublin Airport as one of the most important gaps in the Dublin network. Dublin Airport is currently carrying around 30 million passengers per year; a figure, which, according to some estimates will grow steadily in the future. At this stage the airport has no rail link to the city.
Plans for the Dublin Metro subway system is set out in the Irish Government’s 2005 Transport 21 plan. So far, two lines have been planned, which will mainly serve the North and West of the city. One line is to go from the city centre to the airport. The second line is to split off the first one just south of the airport, and from there cover the West of Greater Dublin Area.