[article] Service Cuts/Closures on the Cards

[Jamie2k9]

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/fine-gael-and-labour-ministers-set-for-clash-over-cuts-to-irish-rail-services-30154527.html

I havn't decided how much of this is "hot air" ahead of the Labout Court on Monday.

[haddockman]

The Ballybophy branch is a goner. No need to be beating about the bush.

[Mark Gleeson]

The NTA wrote to Irish Rail about 3 years ago "seeking proposals" as to possible line closures. At the time our dynamic duo of Ministers went on record as clearly stating no line would close

So its probably time to explain how the process works and why Irish Rail won't be closing anything as it doesn't actually save money, it will be the NTA.

So the WRC covers 2.5% of its operating costs, and gets a subsidy on paper of about 3 million. If IE close the line they lose the ticket revenue but also the subsidy as clearly if you cut the service you can no longer get the subsidy.

What Irish Rail saves on is long term future maintenance costs (thats really what sunk the Waterford Rosslare line) As the WRC effectively employes nobody there is no staff saving, you save a bit on the diesel bill as well.

So for Irish Rail the cost saving is really a fraction of the running cost. So what will happen is NTA will pull the funding from a route. Irish Rail then trigger the close line due not economic clause in the transport act, NTA will approve and 6-8 weeks later the trainspotters can do what they do.

Prior to the NTA of course Irish Rail would be able to book the full 3 million saving as the subsidy would remain constant. As the WRC and the Nenagh branch are the most watched routes (Nenagh line wasn't until strange things went on in Nenagh) there are details accounts, audits and so on.

[jacko]

Is there an argument for keeping the nenagh-limerick. section open ?

presume if it closes then people who paid a railway contribution as part of their planning approval would be entitled to their money back

[Mark Gleeson]

Nenagh Ballybrophy needs serious engineering work to remain open and safe so it is a distinct possibility. This most likely will be sold as a victory by a certain minister if the axe falls.

[haddockman]

The average speed between Ballybrophy and Nenagh is around 25 mph. This is clearly not sustainable as a viable route unless the tracks are ripped up and relaid properly.

[Inniskeen]

Faster than DART and most Dublin suburban services !