One-hour gaps between Dart trains to Bayside, Sutton and Howth.

In 1984 there were 6 morning peak-hour departures from Howth (at 0800, 0810, 0825, 0836, 0850 and 0900), compared to 3 trains (0759, 0820 and 0845) over the same period today.  Malahide has 2 Darts and 1 railcar in the same hour, so there is a net reduction in the total number of Dart trains leaving.  There may be a justification that there is a signalling capacity constraint during peak times.

There is no such justification for the lack of evening services:

Sunday evening from City Centre to Howth in 1984 – 10 trains: 2034, 2054, 2119, 2134, 2154, 2214, 2234, 2254, 2314, 2334

Sunday evening from City Centre to Howth in 2007 – 5 trains: 2027, 2110, 2210, 2310, 2350

Maybe the 5 missing Darts are going to Malahide? No, there are only 3 departures to Malahide over this time period: 2040, 2140 and 2240.  

This reduction in services was introduced in 2006 and has been repeated in the 2007 timetable despite strong protests from passengers.

The Greens believe public transport must be maintained as a convenient frequent service throughout the day and in the evenings.  This decline in the Dart service must be reversed.  Trains, trams and buses must be integrated into a single efficient and convenient network.  Public transport is a top priority for Greens in Dublin.