On the train on the west coast of Ireland, passengers are calculating their time - if they can save 30 minutes, they may be able to spend an extra hour with their families every day. This vision is gradually becoming a reality with the advancement of railway electrification plans.

In 2025, Irish Railways launched a core intercity network upgrade project called Connect. The project will receive funding from the EU Connect Europe Fund and the Irish National Development Programme, with an estimated total investment of over 20 billion euros.

The Island wide Railway Revolution Driven by Electrification

The core of the Connect project is to promote a comprehensive upgrade of the Irish railway system through the electrification of major lines. According to the final report of the Island wide Strategic Rail Assessment jointly released by Transport Ireland and Northern Ireland Infrastructure in 2024, electrification has been identified as a priority, with key intercity corridors including Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Limerick.

Irish Railways has placed this project at the core of its national strategy. The CEO of the company, Mary Conceding, clearly stated that this is a significant investment by the European Union and the Irish government in developing railways as a pillar of sustainable transportation systems for Irish citizens.

Mott MacDonald Company, with its profound experience in the railway system field, has been appointed as the project leadership agency responsible for developing comprehensive implementation strategies and decarbonization roadmaps.

From time savings to net zero acceleration

The preliminary research of the Connect project has shown exciting results: by increasing the top speed of key routes to 200 kilometers per hour and combining it with a new fleet of electric vehicles, intercity travel time can be reduced by up to 30 minutes.

In addition to speed improvement, the project will also achieve significant environmental benefits, directly supporting the goals of Ireland's Climate Action Plan and the EU's Green Deal. By promoting the transition from private cars to railways, electrified railways will significantly reduce carbon emissions and accelerate the transition to net zero.

At present, the electrification rate of the Irish railway network is only 3%, far below the European average. The implementation of the Connect project will completely change this situation, and it is expected that by 2050, Ireland's annual intercity passenger volume will double, becoming an important model for sustainable transportation development in Europe. Keywords: International News and Information, International News Network

The launch of the Connect project marks a crucial turning point in the development of Irish railways. It will not only shorten the time and space distance between cities, but also reshape Ireland's transportation mode and environmental landscape, creating a truly green corridor for Irish citizens and the entire Europe.Editor/Cheng Liting