Commuter (Irish Rail)

Commuter
29000 Class (29009) Commuter train at Dublin Connolly
Overview
Type	Commuter rail, Suburban rail
System	Iarnród Éireann
Status	Operational
Locale	Greater Dublin Area Cork
Stations	74
Services	7
Operation
Opened	16 May 1994 (As Arrow) 30 June 2003 (As Commuter)
Owner	Iarnród Éireann
Operator(s)	Iarnród Éireann
Rolling stock	2600 Class 2800 Class 29000 Class 22000 Class
Technical
Number of tracks	2-4
Track gauge	1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Operating speed	120 km/h (75 mph) maximum

Commuter is a brand of suburban rail services operated by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland, serving the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway. This brand is distinct from the longer distance InterCity brand, and Dublin's higher frequency DART brand. Most Commuter services share track with Intercity services. During the first decade of the new millennium, Iarnród Éireann put a significant amount of effort into upgrading its network, with new tracks, signalling, station upgrades and trains. Commuter services are operated by diesel multiple unit train sets.

The brand was introduced on 16 May 1994 as 'Arrow', the first specific branding for diesel suburban services, with the launch of the Arrow brand on the newly opened Kildare line. This brand was applied to stations on the line, as well as the 2600 Class railcars. It was also applied to the 2700 Class and 2800 Class railcars upon their introduction (however in the case of the latter, it was removed shortly after their introduction into service and replaced with the National Development Plan logo). Thus the Arrow brand became the first major branding for suburban railway services in Dublin (officially, its use remained limited to the Kildare line, but Arrow branded or liveried trains were used on most suburban services).

On 30 June 2003, the Arrow brand was renamed 'Commuter', upon the introduction of the 29000 Class railcars and was also extended to the entire suburban railcar fleet. It was also used in some signage and advertising, giving the diesel commuter networks a consistent look for the first time. The Dublin railway system is now called "DART/Commuter" in line with the new brand, with the former Arrow brand having been completely phased out by 2007.

In March 2007, IÉ placed an order for five additional 6-car 22000 Class DMU sets, totalling €79 million, to be added to its initial order of 150 cars. These additional trains will be used on the outer Dublin suburban network to destinations including Portlaoise, Carlow and Athlone. A further order for an additional 51 cars, formed into 17 three-car units and totalling €140 million, was made in March 2009, for use to other suburban destinations, including Dundalk, Kildare, Longford and Navan.