The Irish Government has announced an investment of nearly $225.49m (€185m) for the upgrade of the metropolitan commuter rail line in Cork.

The funding will be utilised in improving the rail line on the north side of the city and near Kent Station.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

This will make way for the construction of long-mooted stations at Tivoli and Blackpool, as well as Blarney, which was shut down in 1963.

The investment plan will include allocations for supporting the green transition, such as future electrification.

The Cork Area Commuter Rail network will undergo re-signalling and witness an increase in its capacity with the doubling of lines between Glounthaune and Midleton.

This investment will be made under the government’s $1.22bn (€1bn) Covid-19 recovery plan. A total of $638.69m (€524m) will be directed towards the transportation sector for its recovery and improvement.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “This single largest project funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan will help create a sustainable public transport infrastructure fit for the Cork of the future.

“This ambitious rail corridor will enable sustainable development as the city and county undergo both population and economic growth. The project also lays the foundations for large-scale development of sustainable new housing communities and acts as the model for other new transport systems across the country.”

Cork City North East Green Party councillor Oliver Moran said: “The concentration of this money on Cork shows a real commitment to deliver in the city and commuter area.

“This is big money that will enable commuter rail all the way from Mallow to Midleton and Cobh, laying the groundwork for new stops at Blarney, Blackpool and Tivoli.”

Railway Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Railway Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact across the defence sector.

Excellence in Action
Omnevo’s digital Order-to-Seat platform has won the Innovation Award for Onboard Retail, redefining how passengers order, pay, and receive F&B at their seats. Learn how this solution is cutting waste, streamlining logistics, and enabling operators to personalize and modernize onboard retail.

Discover the Impact