17.13 Pearse to Newry

[Jamie2k9]

From tomorrow Monday the 17.13 Pearse to Dundalk will now operate to Newary (19.05 arrival) Monday-Friday and operated by 29 as usual.

I was waiting to see when IE would announce it but clearly they haven't been bothered.

[Ronald Binge]

The extension to Newry was on the website the next day: http://www.irishrail.ie/news/newrycommuter

[Mark Gleeson]

Was a 22k last night

Another nice idea when really the focus should be on the current service.

For a company on the verge of bankruptcy to add cost (no subsidy for cross border) and a second member of staff onboard doesn't wash.

[Jamie2k9]

I did see some suggestion on twitter saying there is an ICR service a little before the 17.1 and it should be swapped around for the new service!

Can they avoid a second person if the correct ICR is on the route?

[Mark Gleeson]

I did see some suggestion on twitter saying there is an ICR service a little before the 17.1 and it should be swapped around for the new service!

Can they avoid a second person if the correct ICR is on the route?

Nope, need a second person always within Northern Ireland

[Inniskeen]

Really very unusual for the 1713 to be an ICR, if it was it is nothing to do with the extension of the service to Newry.

Dundalk and Drogheda have a pretty rubbish service at this stage, it would make better sense to reorganise the 1711 ex Connolly and 1713 ex Pearse so that one operated as a fast limited stop service (Drogheda, Dundalk and Newry), possibly 4 x ICR instead of 8 x 2900 and a retimed 1711 service formed of 8 x 2900 and running non stop to Donabate. The extension of the 1713 to Newry was a missed opportunity in this regard.

[Jamie2k9]

Would be interesting to know why/who approached them about this extension. I mean not as if they listen to customer feedback, nor is demand so high a 20.40 from Dundalk is really warranted. Any info on usage yet?

[Inniskeen]

Not sure what's the motivation for the 2040 ex Dundalk. Probably more to do with driver rosters and set links than any particular demand for Dublin bound trains at this time of the evening. Services in the other direction can be busy, over 500 passengers on 2013 Pearse/Drogheda on the 18th January for instance.

[Jamie2k9]

Was referring to Newary aspect in terms of demand and what made them extend it. Had figured the 20.40 was more less a stock/roster issue.

Over 500 on the 20.13 is quiet impressive.

[Inniskeen]

I would imagine usage of this service is modest given the combination of limited frequency, unattractive journey time, chronic overcrowding (large numbers standing from Pearse with no seats available at either Tara Street or Connolly) and low end rolling stock.

[James Shields]

I have to wonder how many people will want to take nearly 2 hours to get to Newry.

Usage on all Northern commuter line services has risen dramatically over the last couple of years. We used to have a few limited stop services that now serve all stops between Donabate and Drogheda. Some new services with limited stops serving Drogheda, Dundalk and Newry would seem a better way to achieve this.

I realise there's currently no money for this.

[Inniskeen]

I doubt the growth in usage on the northern line has been anything approaching uniform or indeed in line with the growth in commutter trips across all modes. Capacity and service quality are severe constraints on growth and look set to remain so for the immediately foreseeable future.

[James Shields]

By "immediately foreseeable future", I think we can read "until we elect a government that gives a damn about public transport".