What is Transport 21?

Transport 21 is the ten-year capital investment framework agreed by the Government to provide for the transformation of Ireland’s national roads, public transport and regional airports.

Transport 21 is the largest investment ever in Ireland’s transport infrastructure. From 2006 to 2015, €34 billion is being invested to create a world-class transport system for Ireland. Transport 21 is part of Ireland’s National Development 2007-2013.

The aims of Transport 21 are to - 

• Expand capacity – address existing deficiencies in services and provide for future growth
• Increase use – encourage greater use of public transport
• Increase accessibility and integration – make travel to school, work, business or leisure easier for the commuter
• Enhance quality – improve safety, reliability and comfort
• Ensure sustainability – put in place a transport system that remains economical and eco-friendly

Major infrastructure projects to be delivered under the programme include -

• 5 Major Inter Urban Routes – motorway standard roads linking Dublin to Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and the Border with Northern Ireland
• The Western Rail Corridor - the reinstatement of the rail line from Ennis to Athenry (Phase 1), Athenry to Tuam (Phase 2) and Tuam to Claremorris (Phase 3).
• The Atlantic Road Corridor – high quality route linking Letterkenny to Waterford via Sligo, Tuam, Ennis, Limerick, Mallow & Cork
• Cork Commuter Rail – the provision of a commuter rail service from Mallow to Midleton, through Cork City.
• Metro North – an 18km underground Metro line to run from St Stephen's Green via Dublin Airport to the north of Swords at Belinstown, North Dublin. 
• The Dart Underground – a 7.5km line (largely underground) from Docklands to Inchicore will connect the existing Northern rail line to the lines running out from Heuston Station.
• Several new Luas lines in the Greater Dublin Area and a number of restored/improved heavy rail lines

Transport 21 also funds several transport programmes and schemes such as the Quality Bus Corridor Project in Dublin and bus priority measures in the regional cities, the Railway Safety Programme and a public transport accessibility programme.

Already, substantial progress on many of these projects and programmes has been achieved. For more details and for information on the full range of projects funded by Transport 21, please visit our website at www.transport21.ie