Date ; Wednesday 13th July 2011

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar TD today marked the opening of a new rail spur in Dublin Port which is set to enhance the competitiveness of rail freight for IWT customers.

IWT will be the first company to run trains on this new spur and will operate a daily roundtrip service from Dublin to the West of Ireland.

IWT believe that the service will save up to 5.5million road kilometres every year and will reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 2,750 tonnes.  The increased frequency in the service provides customers with a regular and reliable rail alternative delivering a superior product that will enhance Ireland’s contribution to the European Union’s modal shift aspirations from road to rail.