The nation was hit with a serious case of déja-vu on Tuesday morning, as the latest MetroLink announcement was made by the government.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe fronted a press conference which announced the new plans for a metro service through Dublin, known as "MetroLink", which is scheduled for completion by 2034. The plan has been approved for funding by cabinet, and the planning submission will begin next year.
The exciting plans show the metro service beginning north of Dublin Airport, and going as far as Charlemont on the banks of the Grand Canal, south of the Liffey. The route will take in crossover stations at the Airport, Glasnevin, and Tara Street, and will also pass by O'Connell Street.
Remember Metro North? Well it's back, in Link form (again).
🔴19.4 km, 16 stations
🔴Fully automated
🔴Trains every 3 minutes at peak, capable of carrying up to 20,000 passengers per hour in each direction
🔴Planning submission will be lodged this September@VirginMediaNews pic.twitter.com/1XOLMtEWuR— Rob O'Hanrahan (@RobOHanrahan) July 5, 2022
Though the plans for MetroLink look exciting, there were plenty on Irish Twitter taking them with a pinch of salt on Tuesday.
MetroLink: New Dublin plans get mixed response from Irish Twitter users
Though the plans for a new, fully-automated metro service for the capital city - including service to the airport - sounds exciting, there are some stipulating factors.
This is not the first time plans for such a design have been revealed for Dublin. In fact, it is only four years since the last iteration of the Metro plans were revealed, to much consternation from Glasnevin residents.
Tuesday morning's announcement is merely the latest in a string of announcements from government level, and many took to Irish Twitter to point out some of these issues as reasons to be wary of the newly announced MetroLink plans.
2005 - Metro North announced opening 2014
2007 - General Election
2015 - New Metro North announced opening 2026
2016 - General Election
2018 - MetroLink announced opening 2027
2020 - General Election
2022 - MetroLink announced opening 2034
???? pic.twitter.com/B9jOo4pcqy— Semi-D (@mrfrankiegrimes) July 5, 2022
One particularly humorous tweet pointed out that this was the second time Paschal Donohoe has announced the arrival of a metro service - in the meantime, a third proposal has come and gone.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, who himself launched the Metro North when he was minister for transport in 2015, is seven years later launching the Metro Link.
€250m has already been spent on the metro without a shovel having gone into ground. pic.twitter.com/yXVB2e9h3c— Gabija Gataveckaitė (@gataveckaite) July 5, 2022
Anyway here’s what the first Artist’s Impression of the Metro looked like when published in 2005. Intended to operate by 2012! pic.twitter.com/3qHoNwCOK4
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) July 5, 2022
From 2007 Fianna Fáil paper "Central News". The selected route for Metro North pic.twitter.com/u6bpheXKlY
— Alan Kinsella (@electionlit) July 5, 2022
The idea for the MetroLink was first floated when I was 7 years old and it might only be fully operational when I hit 40, that hilarious, why can't we get infrastructure right hahaha
— sweaty elvis (@Dex_Jettster) July 5, 2022
Some of the more serious critiques of the MetroLink proposal revolved around the €9bn+ cost of the project, with some users pointing out equivalent projects which were achieved at lower costs.
In the last four years Dublin's metro has halved in length and tripled in cost. Great work from all involved. https://t.co/BaqpawI1H7
— Billy 🥑🏙🌐 (@BillyM_92) July 5, 2022
With the Dublin Metrolink in the news at a cost of €9.5 billion, note that the Thessaloniki metro, due for completion 2023, despite economic collapse & endless archaelogical holdups, will have 2 lines,18 stops, 14.5 km long at a cost of €2.26 billion #metrolink pic.twitter.com/XtDqMLXyxz
— Peter Reid (@peterkinvara) July 5, 2022
Yeah, a country that can’t build houses, run an airport or organise a sliced pan anytime it snows, can totally build a MetroLink (that no longer links to anything) by 2034. Also the ‘estimated’ cost is already FIVE childrens hospitals! Emigrate, everyone, before it’s too late!!!
— Oliver Callan (@olivercallan) July 5, 2022
"It is anticipated that MetroLink could be in operation in the early 2030s." pic.twitter.com/LV79Lp8Vmv
— Rob O'Hanrahan (@RobOHanrahan) July 5, 2022
Despite the issues, the MetroLink proposals are unquestionably exciting and, if they can be fulfilled as plans, could revolutionise transport in Dublin city.
Alongside the planned further expansion of the Luas, and the proposals for a DART West line, the next few years are looking bright for rail travel in the capital city (touch wood...)
Some saw the funny side of the delays, and seemed nonetheless excited by the potential arrival of a metro service.
Me stepping onto the Metro at the Swords Central stop, 2034. pic.twitter.com/DaJZxdG4vl
— Luke Corkery (@lukeacorkery) July 4, 2022
Me and the boys on the way to Tara St Metrolink Station pic.twitter.com/CZhYkfD2HL
— Daithi (@daithigor) July 5, 2022
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