Bike Capacity to receive a major boost on Commuter Rail Services in Louth

Iarnród Éireann has commenced a project to provide additional bike storage spaces on commuter rail cars across its Drogheda and Dundalk Commuter services serving Louth, as well as on Longford, Maynooth and M3 Parkway Commuter services.

The first train set was modified this summer and saw five seats being removed and replaced by seven flip up type seats. These seats, when flipped up can accommodate storage for up to four bikes. Before this there was no dedicated bike storage on this fleet.

Funded by the Department of Transport, through the National Transport Authority, this project will facilitate multi-modal journeys for those who may wish to undertake part of their journey by train and part by bike.

Iarnród Éireann has asked commuters to note that non-fold up bikes are not permitted onboard these services at peak times, and said that it has seen a great influx of people wishing to bring their bikes onboard, particularly for leisure purposes with the growth of Greenways, such as Royal Canal Greenway and the Old Rail Trail, both of which are accessible from services that operate on the Maynooth/Longford Route.

By the end of 2025, Iarnród Éireann says that 20 train sets will have been modified, with a further nine sets to be completed in 2026, greatly boosting bike storage capacity.

Pat Casey, Head of Customer Experience with Iarnród Éireann said: “I am delighted that his upgrade to bike storage facilities is underway on our commuter fleet. Active and multi modal travel is becoming more popular than ever and having these dedicated spaces will greatly enhance customer experience for those travelling with bikes”

Eoin Gillard from National Transport Authority said “The National Transport Authority welcomes the provision of bicycle storage facilities on the commuter fleet. These enhancements will offer more options to the travelling public for end to end trips by sustainable modes"