Iarnród Éireann has unveiled the first of its new DART+ trains, marking a significant advancement in Ireland’s rail infrastructure. This five-carriage train is the initial unit among 185 carriages ordered from French manufacturer Alstom, with service commencement planned for early 2026. While I appreciate this is a niche element of the story, I was interested to see what charging options commuters would have for their trip.
Thankfully, YouTuber Geoff Marshall has toured the new trains and has included exactly what I wanted to see.
Dart+ Has USB-C and USB-A Charge Ports for Mobile Devices
When Dublin Bus launched a new fleet of buses a few years back, I felt for them. They introduced USB-A charging and everyone was delighted. Unfortunately, you could see what was just about to happen. USB-C became the new standard. When I travel now, I typically carry both a USB-C and USB-A charger, just in-case I’ll need to charge on the move.
Thankfully, the new DART+ trains will feature charge ports for both cable types.
The charge ports are also positioned at head height. They’re not buried away under the seats in the hope you won’t use them.
This should make charging on the go much easier for commuters. Surprisingly, charging on the go remains important as smartphone battery life has plateaued in recent years, with most devices still seeing out just one day of usage.
The New DART+ Train
A notable feature of these new trains is their battery-electric capability, allowing operation on both electrified and non-electrified tracks. This flexibility will enable DART services to extend beyond the current electrified network, reaching areas such as Drogheda, Maynooth, and Hazelhatch.
I look forward to taking a spin on this trains in 2026. Hopefully the added capacity will mean enough seats for everyone to access a charger too!
