View Full Version : Midleton Line Opening - with Buses
ACustomer
27-07-2009, 09:28
Just looked at the online timetables for the first 2 days of the new service. The last two trains in each direction have been substituted by buses! What a flying start. Only in Cork.....
Mark Gleeson
27-07-2009, 09:30
Yup knew that was coming
The line will have to CLOSE in September for a number of days as well since the junction with the Cobh line was never installed, they are currently using the original mechanical signaling as a stop gap
yeah, saw that this morning on the journey planner! is there any reason for these bus substitutions?
They've been going on on the Cobh line for months.
It's supposedly for engineering works, but I have a suspicion that it's down to either a lack of drivers or an attempt to avoid paying overtime.
ACustomer
27-07-2009, 13:09
So it's cheaper to hire a bus and pay its driver and the fuel than to operate a train? That would be a major own-goal for IE.
Mark Hennessy
27-07-2009, 13:20
So it's cheaper to hire a bus and pay its driver and the fuel than to operate a train? That would be a major own-goal for IE.
Mark G has lots of good info about the Cork area situation, from what I hear it is majorly disfunctional down there.
Mark Gleeson
27-07-2009, 15:33
The line will open on Thursday next lunchtime.
First public service is the 13:15 from Cork and the 13:45 from Midleton. Likely there will be a train for the suits earlier in the day to ensure the minister doesn't have to share with the public.
Mark Hennessy
27-07-2009, 21:11
Likely there will be a train for the suits earlier in the day to ensure the minister doesn't have to share with the public.
Perish the thought that poor Noel would have to mingle with the proles :rolleyes:
Is it my imagination or did the price of a return ticket go up 1Euro?
Midleton rail service: opens this Thursday 30th July - FREE TRAVEL ON THURSDAY! by Corporate Communications (http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=423)
The new Cork-Midleton line will be officially opened by the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey TD this Thursday 30th July.
The Minister will travel with invited guests and the media on the first passenger train on the new line, opening the new stations at Carrigtwohill and Midleton itself.
A day of celebration involving the local community and businesses is planned at Midleton Station with a giant barbecue. Stilt walkers and face painters there to entertain the children, local Cork band, Bog The Donkey providing the music and local business and food producers will showcase the best of local fare. It promises to be a fun day out for all the family.
Free travel to the public, Thursday 30th July, from 13.15hrs
Travel on the new service will be free to the public for the day on Thursday 30th July, with public services operating from 13.15hrs onwards.
Full timetable details are available via our timetable search facility at www.irishrail.ie . Thursday services will operate as follows:
Thursday 30th July
From Cork: 13.15, 14.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17.15, 18.15, 19.15, 20.15
From Midleton: 13.45, 14.45, 15.45, 16.45, 17.45, 18.45, 19.45, 20.45
An initial introductory service operates from Friday 31st July to Bank Holiday Monday 3rd August inclusive (check www.irishrail.ie timetable search for details), before the full commuter service begins on Tuesday 4th August.
Work on the new line has been completed, following a €75 million investment in the infrastructure under the Government’s Transport 21 programme, part of the National Development Plan 2007-2013.
Full service from Tuesday 4th August
A total of 21 trains each way will operate daily between Cork and Midleton, with services running every 30 minutes at peak times, and every hour at off-peak times, Monday to Friday.
Seventeen trains each way will operate on Saturdays, and eight trains will operate each way on Sundays.
Full timetable (from 4th August):
Monday to Saturday
Timetable From Cork: 06.15, 06.45*, 07.15, 07.45*, 08.15, 08.45*, 09.15, 10.15, 11.15, 12.15, 13.15, 14.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17.15, 17.45*, 18.15, 19.15, 20.15, 21.15, 22.15
From Midleton: 06.45, 07.15*, 07.45, 08.15*, 08.45, 09.15*, 09.45, 10.45, 11.45, 12.45, 13.45, 14.45, 15.45, 16.45, 17.45, 18.15*, 18.45, 19.45, 20.45, 21.45, 22.45
* = Mon-Fri only
Sunday Timetable
From Cork: 08.15, 10.15, 12.15, 14.00, 16.15, 17.15, 18.30, 20.15
From Midleton: 08.45, 10.45, 12.45, 14.30, 16.45, 17.45, 19.15, 20.45
Journey details – Commuter service, and Intercity connections
Journey time between Midleton and Cork will be 23-24 minutes, and all trains will serve the new stations of Midleton and Carrigtwohill, as well as Glounthaune, Little Island and Kent Station Cork.
As well as offering a strong commuter service, the new Midleton timetable will offer excellent connections to the Cork-Dublin Intercity service, maximising the benefit of this new infrastructure.
The infrastructure also offers the potential to expand services in the future to every 15 minutes, as demand increases.
Each train will be a two-carriage commuter train, with capacity for 320 passengers, including seating for 129 passengers.
Platforms have also been built to accommodate future expansion to four-carriage trains.
Fares for Midleton customers will be:
Adult Single: €4.40
Adult Return: €6.50
Adult Weekly: €26.00
Adult Monthly: €92.00
Adult Annual: €920.00
Monthly and annual customers are reminded that employees of companies registered with the Taxsaver scheme are entitled to tax relief on the cost of commuter tickets, of up to 51%. Full details are available on www.taxsaver.ie
In addition, a range of rail and bus tickets will be available, allowing customers to buy integrated tickets to transfer from Kent Station to other areas in the city.
Car park charges at Midleton and Carrigtwohill Stations will be:
€2 per day
€8 per week
€30 per 4 weeks
Midleton line project
The €75 million investment in the Midleton line includes:
- upgrading track on the previously disused Glounthaune to Midleton line, through provision of a single track with a passing loop at Carrigtwohill
- providing a new signalling system
- provision of two new stations at Midleton and Carrigtwohill, including extensive car parking facilities (340 spaces and 180 spaces respectively), lifts and footbridges
- the replacement of a range of level crossings with bridges
- other infrastructure work including bridge, boundary and drainage works
Why are the fares so expensive compared to the DART ?
It's only 2.75 single from Dublin City Centre Stations to Bray, which is 19km away.
Midleton is 22km from Kent Station, Cork, yet it's massively more expensive!
:confused:
Fares just are more expensive in Cork
Dublin-Skerries (31km): €8.00 rtn
Cork-Mallow (32km): € 11.40 rtn
Although, for some reason Cobh is cheaper than Midleton, even though they are almost the exact same distance from Cork. I know Irish Rail like to pretend that the reason for higher fares is because of things like double-tracking, but Cork-Cobh is double tracked, while Cork-Midleton is single-track beyond Glounethaune.
I guess unless a local politician wants to make an issue of it, fares are likely to stay higher in the Cork region.
the bus service for the 9.30 and 10.30 to cobh is a joke. How long more are we going to have to put up with it.
why are IR charging for cars at carrigtwohill and midleton car parks but not at glounthaune. makes no sense
are there any fares published for cobh midleton or do i have to by two separate returns
Went to the station in Carrig last night. They had all the bunting up etc......unfortunately they also have the parking charges boldly displayed. €2 per day or €8 per week or €30 for 4 weeks. It's on a Pay & Display basis. It's the same for Midleton. With a return from Midleton costing €6.50 plus parking it's fairly pricey. Won't encourage alot of people out of their cars with that pricing structure I'm afraid.
Mark Hennessy
30-07-2009, 11:56
the bus service for the 9.30 and 10.30 to cobh is a joke. How long more are we going to have to put up with it.
why are IR charging for cars at carrigtwohill and midleton car parks but not at glounthaune. makes no sense
are there any fares published for cobh midleton or do i have to by two separate returns
Welcome to the forum.
We issued a press release on this issue yesterday.
All of the costs of building this railway, track, signaling, stations and car parks have already been for out of the capital budget - i.e your taxes.
Yet, CIE Property are free to charge these rip off car parking fees.
Furthermore, like in Dublin, there are no feedber buses to get people directly from their estates to the station to offer an alternative to parking at the station.
I would encourage you get in touch with your local politicians on this issue.
We also know that due to a shortage of trains, bus substitutions are likely to be used a lot.
But of course none of this matters, as Irish Rail management are accountable to no one. It's high fives and back slapping with the minister all round today.
Welcome to the forum.
We issued a press release on this issue yesterday.
All of the costs of building this railway, track, signaling, stations and car parks have already been for out of the capital budget - i.e your taxes.
Yet, CIE Property are free to charge these rip off car parking fees.
Furthermore, like in Dublin, there are no feedber buses to get people directly from their estates to the station to offer an alternative to parking at the station.I would encourage you get in touch with your local politicians on this issue.
We also know that due to a shortage of trains, bus substitutions are likely to be used a lot.
But of course none of this matters, as Irish Rail management are accountable to no one. It's high fives and back slapping with the minister all round today.
I live in a recently built estate in Carrigtwohill with approx. 300 houses (let's say 600 adults) many of whom commute to Cork City. However the station is a good 20 minute walk away. If IR were serious about this new service a feeder bus should be provided to get as many ppl as possible to use the train without having to pay the ripoff car parking charges.
In addition, incredibly, there is NO FOOTPATH outside the Carrig station. The footpath into the village starts around 80-100 meters after you exit the station. The road here is quite narrow and the sightlines aren't great. So if you do decide to walk you are competing with cars flying in and out of the station and on winter mornings/evenings this lack of a footpath could be quite dangerous. Surely between IR and the Council they could have thrown down a length of footpath BEFORE the station opened!!
PLUMB LOCO
30-07-2009, 13:41
Yes, Dempsey will have his day in the sun but won't be seen when the crap hits the fan when the service proves to be a fiasco. Nice to see the media falling hook line and sinker for the PR spin about today being the first day in 46 years since the last train to Midleton. I could have sworn I travelled over the line quite often by passenger train in the 1980s - including MkII carriages hauled by 071 class locos. The whole reopening project has been ill thought out nonsense from the start. First proposed in the Cork Land Use & Transportation Study in 1978 (!) it has taken a staggering 31 years to reopen the line as far as Midleton at a cost of between €75-100 million. A study for
Iarnród Éireann 'A Strategic Review of the Cork Suburban Rail Network' by Ove Arup & Partners in 2000 estimated that restoration of the entire route to Youghal could be achieved for about €30million ! As it is, what has been created is the most high spec siding in history. Loco hauled trains will not be able to operate to Midleton as there is no run round facility, the stations are to be unmanned and there will be no attempt to generate additional revenue through Fastrack etc. The reopening of the complete line to Youghal would have made some sense but not this.
on the move
30-07-2009, 14:39
I know Irish Rail like to pretend that the reason for higher fares is because of things like double-tracking, but Cork-Cobh is double tracked, while Cork-Midleton is single-track beyond Glounethaune.
All routes countrywide should be double-tracked, from a safety aspect, let alone a comfort one. It should be standard procedure. The idea that customers should have to pay for the convenience of a double track is outrageous.
trains to midleton are running 40 mins late!! I'm here at the station in cork. I'll upload pics when i get home. only in Ireland could this happen!
PLUMB LOCO
30-07-2009, 17:19
All routes countrywide should be double-tracked, from a safety aspect, let alone a comfort one. It should be standard procedure. The idea that customers should have to pay for the convenience of a double track is outrageous.
There are absolutely no safety problems on single lines and while they may limit capacity the cost of double tracking would not be justified and in many cases e.g. Bray Head, it is not practical.
i hope he pays for his ticket
Mark Gleeson
30-07-2009, 21:02
Things where pretty mad in Midleton. But everyone was having a great time, free BBQ, live music and marquee with more 'refined' food
First train out was the one for the politicians which left Cork at 12:15 and departed Midleton heavily loaded at about 13:00.
The first official train left Cork at 13:20, 5 minutes late and got caught at the level crossing outside Kent station for another 5, arrived Midleton 13:46. 2 coach train no one left behind in Cork
The 13:45 didn't leave to 14:00 with a healthy load. The 14:15 was a 4 coach set, arrived more or less on time and departed full from Midleton at about 14:50. An extra unscheduled train left Cork at 14:45 and retuned from Midleton at 15:15
The 15:15 from Cork was running about 10 minutes late, which turned into a 20 minute delay on return to Cork.
The signalling between Cork and Glounthaune means there must be at least 10 minutes between trains which means serious delays grow quickly
Crowd control was non existent at 2pm but by 2:30pm things where under control with effective management of the disembarkation and embarkation process.
And yes they had Midleton displayed correctly as destination on the trains and even a Cork suburban rail map inside!
Traincustomer
30-07-2009, 21:06
TV3 news at 530pm and RTE1 at 900pm both covered Midleton this evening. The former report said the first train from Cork was at 1215pm - was this the one for the dignitaries? (ah I just read Mark's post after submitting this the first time -it was).
I thought both reports were balanced. TV3's had an interview with a former train driver and passengers of various ages. RTE's report really showed the crowds.
I daresay other tv news bulletins covered it; these were just the ones I viewed.
on the move
30-07-2009, 23:33
There are absolutely no safety problems on single lines and while they may limit capacity the cost of double tracking would not be justified and in many cases e.g. Bray Head, it is not practical.
Bray Head is a bit like the Boyne Viaduct, it must be single track, only the entrance and exit around the viaduct are double-track. For 95% of the single track lines in the country, double-track lines can be built. They can also increase the frequency of the routes. Maybe it will take a crash and lives lost, in order for the money to be spent.
That's the priority for IE, not building huge stations on the Kildare Route project that are designed for 10 times the capacity they currently have, and building 2 branch lines outside Inchicore that are never used.
Because of the single track on the new CART route, there can only be trains at the rate of one an hour. Double-track them, and you can have as many as you like.
Great start to the service this morning!
The first scheduled (revenue) service on the Midleton line from Midleton was the 06:45 this morning. I left my car in Kent station yesterday before the 12:15 special yesterday. I decided to stay over night in Midleton at my parents house last night and get the 06:45 this morning. The station is only 10 minutes walk from my parents house.
Arrived 15 minutes early to find that the whole Midleton station was locked: locked gates to the car park and locked gates to the station.
6 cars (8 potential passengers) turned away as they could not park.
Another man turned up as well (just as the 06:15 from Cork arrived). He had walked from the north side of the station as that side was locked as well.
I rang Kent station (via 11811), no answer.
At 06:40, I said "fup this" and said to the man, look I need to be on that train to get to work, so we decided to run for it towards Mill Road level crossing. I knew that there was no train until that departure and I was wearing the biggest day-glow coat, so I walked up the side of the track from the level crossing (less that 100m). I said it to the driver and he phoned Kent (or Glounthaune).
Another passenger appeared on the scene then, he was just after jumping the tall fence surrounding the station, I honestly don't know how he didn't fall!
Ticket machines were not turned on, so we just boarded the train.
Madness!!! On the very first day of revenue traffic on the line! Loss of 8 potential passengers.
At Carrigtwohill, 1 passenger boarded the train.
At Glounthaune, 1 passenger boarded the train.
At Carrigtwohill, the passenger information display on the platform said we were stopping in a place called Glonne (I presume it is Glounthaune).
At Midleton station (when I eventually boarded the train) had all the stations in reverse: Little Island, Glounthaune, Carrigtwohill.
Was really grinds my gears after all that is that Noel Dempsey, TD made a big speech about making sure that the Midleton and District people use the services! No problem, just open the station so we can use the trains!!!!!!!!!!
On a lighter note, the opening day yesterday was enjoyed by a LOT of people! The last train service yesterday was still well filled by (free) passengers!
Finbarr.
Because of the single track on the new CART route, there can only be trains at the rate of one an hour. Double-track them, and you can have as many as you like.
That's just plain wrong.
There's double track to Glounethaune, with single track for the 10 km to Midleton with a passing loop in Carrigtwohill. Trains can run every 15 minutes with this arrangement.
So they can double even the rush hour frequency. Add to that the ability to put on longer trains and you can have up to 6 times start-up capacity.
Even if it was the wrong decision, it will be a long time before we find out.
Mark Hennessy
31-07-2009, 08:02
Great start to the service this morning!
The first scheduled (revenue) service on the Midleton line from Midleton was the 06:45 this morning. I left my car in Kent station yesterday before the 12:15 special yesterday. I decided to stay over night in Midleton at my parents house last night and get the 06:45 this morning. The station is only 10 minutes walk from my parents house.
Arrived 15 minutes early to find that the whole Midleton station was locked: locked gates to the car park and locked gates to the station.
6 cars (8 potential passengers) turned away as they could not park.
Another man turned up as well (just as the 06:15 from Cork arrived). He had walked from the north side of the station as that side was locked as well.
I rang Kent station (via 11811), no answer.
At 06:40, I said "fup this" and said to the man, look I need to be on that train to get to work, so we decided to run for it towards Mill Road level crossing. I knew that there was no train until that departure and I was wearing the biggest day-glow coat, so I walked up the side of the track from the level crossing (less that 100m). I said it to the driver and he phoned Kent (or Glounthaune).
Another passenger appeared on the scene then, he was just after jumping the tall fence surrounding the station, I honestly don't know how he didn't fall!
Ticket machines were not turned on, so we just boarded the train.
Madness!!! On the very first day of revenue traffic on the line! Loss of 8 potential passengers.
At Carrigtwohill, 1 passenger boarded the train.
At Glounthaune, 1 passenger boarded the train.
Was really grinds my gears after all that is that Noel Dempsey, TD made a big speech about making sure that the Midleton and District people use the services! No problem, just open the station so we can use the trains!!!!!!!!!!
Finbarr.
As I stated here ad nauseum, this is classic IE.
€75m to get the whole shebang up and running, a huge spread laid on for the minister and press and bang, on day 2, they can't even open up the station.
Who's responsible?
No one of course, this is shocking what you have described, I would be writing a letter to the Cork area manager, the CEO and lob in one to the Examiner too, there's absolutely no excuse for this crap.
As I stated here ad nauseum, this is classic IE.
€75m to get the whole shebang up and running, a huge spread laid on for the minister and press and bang, on day 2, they can't even open up the station.
Who's responsible?
No one of course, this is shocking what you have described, I would be writing a letter to the Cork area manager, the CEO and lob in one to the Examiner too, there's absolutely no excuse for this crap.
Hi Mark,
I am writing it at the moment! It was utter madness this morning!! Its almost unbelievable!
Priceless!!!!!
Finbarr.
PLUMB LOCO
31-07-2009, 09:21
Just emailed details to that plank - Pat Kenny - in case he has item on his Today programme. Don't hold your breath for Mr.Lightweight to talk about it as it is much easier to ramble on about 'NAMA' which nobody understands.
Mark Gleeson
31-07-2009, 11:05
You really got to love Irish Rail
Yesterday was almost perfect, everything worked. Extra trains put on to keep things moving. The destination displays read Midleton and they had new Cork suburban area maps fitted. Ok things got a little bit out of hand with the numbers but no one was complaining
But as always they get it 95% right and then make a mess of the situation. As soon as the cameras are gone its back to normal. It somewhat amazes me Irish Rail can't have some class of standard key for station side gates and so on issued to all staff so that in such circumstances a driver or conductor can solve the problem.
The TVM's where working yesterday I'm told
The TVM's where working yesterday I'm told
Yeah, the TVM's were working yesterday. Some people printed Child single tickets as momentos yesterday.
The TVM's are only programmed for Midleton - Cork - Cobh. I did not check for Mallow. Any other part of the network is not possible.
I have my letters written, and will post them in about 30 minutes. Is there any point in ringing Kent station and asking if the station will be open for tomorrow's 06:45 to Cork?
Finbarr.
Mark Gleeson
31-07-2009, 11:25
Yeah, the TVM's were working yesterday. Some people printed Child single tickets as momentos yesterday. The ones in Cork didn't have Midleton on them yesterday. Its station 068 if the booking clerks don't know it yet
I have my letters written, and will post them in about 30 minutes. Is there any point in ringing Kent station and asking if the station will be open for tomorrow's 06:45 to Cork?
Finbarr.
Cork is 021-4557277. If they act the muppets ring 01 7034499 which is the office in charge in Dublin
I eventually got through to Kent station. The problem this morning was that the security firm that is responsible for opening up Midleton station in the mornings did not open the station this morning. I don't know if it was a case that the security firm did not know what time to open the station this morning, or if the security firm was just late coming to Midleton. Carrigtwohill station was open!
I will check tomorrow morning again as I will be getting the 0645 to Cork - hopefully with no adventures to get on to the platform !
Hi all,
Just said I would give ye an update from a very wet Midleton.
I got the 16:45 from Midleton to Glounthaune today. I counted between 50-60 people leaving Midleton on it. 5 people got on in Carrigtwohill... not bad considering the weather in Midleton (and around Cork today!).
Few things to note:
- the ticket machine on platform 2 was closed (protection cover locked down)
- the ticket machine on platform 1 (main platform) was out of action - red screen stating that it was out of service
- the PIS on platform 1 showed only the current time, did not show the next train
- the automatic announcements seemed to tell us what the next train on platform 1 would be (16:38 to Midleton) but did not tell us what the next train would be (16:45 to Cork)
I presume there was a ticket checker at Cork station, like Friday morning, so the passengers might have had to get tickets there.
The train was a 4 carriage 2600, still with "Midleton / Mainistir na Corann" on the Midleton end of the train, and "Cork/Coraigh" on the Cork side of the train.
I am well impressed with the speed of the train and we reached Carrigtwohill and Glounthaune right on time.
I was looking at a timetable at Glounthaune station. It was amazing to see all the services for the station. It was combined for the Midleton and Cobh trains. Noticed as well that the timetable was for "Little Island" not "Glounthaune"!! IE could have laminated it as well... It was just a big A1/A2 sheet attached to the station wall... ink running on it due to the weather.
On a better note, IE have included a nice map as well at all stations showing the Cork Rail Map, with the number 5 feeder bus from Kent station to Rossa Avenue / CIT, via Patrick's Street, UCC, Bon Securs Hospital, IDA Park (Model Farm Road) and FAS. A nice bit of progress there I must admit!
IrishRail.ie have also updated there website (http://irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=321) to include the bus substitution services on the Midleton branch alongside the ones on the Cobh line!
Fin.
Update from Midleton line:
17:15 to Midleton was extremely busy today. 4 carriage 2600 is still in operation today. The train was well packed all the ways to Midleton.
Hope this is a sign of things to come!!
Mark Gleeson
03-08-2009, 18:21
We are in the honeymoon period. October is the month to watch, kids back at school, 3rd level back and everyone back from holidays plus all the sad trainspotter types have visited to take photos. Then you get a true measure of success.
sad trainspotter types
Were I do not agree about trainspotters, everyone has their interests, I do agree about the honeymoon period. Everything is shiny and new at the moment and everyone wants to see it & travel on it. IE would want to get the finger out now and fix the ticket machines in Midleton to start making revenue on the line! I cannot see it being fixed before tomorrow.
Does anyone know if the TVM's at other stations on the Cobh line allow customers to by tickets beyond Cork station? The Midleton TVM only allows customers to buy tickets to stations on the Cork - Cobh/Midleton lines?
Mark Gleeson
03-08-2009, 19:43
The Midleton TVM is on the list of TVM problems
To be honest if I was in Midleton I would buy a ticket to Dublin, I'd buy online for the Cork Dublin section.
And yes someday in the very near future you will be able to collect a reservation in Midleton
PLUMB LOCO
03-08-2009, 20:30
The Midleton TVM is on the list of TVM problems
To be honest if I was in Midleton I would buy a ticket to Dublin, I'd buy online for the Cork Dublin section.
And yes someday in the very near future you will be able to collect a reservation in Midleton
What about those who don't have online access? A proper ATVM or, better still, a manned booking office would be a better option. Wait until the vandalism, cider parties and muggings start. I would love to know how much cheaper it is for IE to employ a security firm to open and close the stations every day than to staff the stations? While they are at it why don' they sub out the train crew jobs to some Eastern European outfit and get out of rail operations completely?
Incidentally, the sad train spotters who you continually seek to belittle are fare paying passengers too and their colleagues in the RSPI etc do a better promotional job for the railways than CIE/IE, or for that matter Rail Users Ireland, do!
Thomas Ralph
03-08-2009, 22:44
It's not RUI's job to promote the railways ;)
Thomas Ralph
03-08-2009, 22:46
Not sure whether your question about subcontracting train operations to Eastern Europeans was rhetorical or not, but needless to say any mention of same would put all of CIÉ out on strike, therefore nit a workable option.
8:15 service Midleton-Cork. I got on in Carrigtwohill with about 4 or 5 other passengers. There was about 30 on it from Midleton. Grand total of 3 cars using the car park in Carrig!
The 08:15 to Midleton was delayed this morning. 5-6 cars in the north car park at Midleton station.
My brother is on the 11:45 to Cork, he said it is very busy.
Is there a reason why Cork-Glounthaune and Glounthaune-Cork takes longer on Midleton services than on Cobh ones?
And for that matter, is there a reason why Cork-Glounthaune is faster than Glounthaune-Cork regardless of which service you're on?
Colm Moore
04-08-2009, 14:05
And for that matter, is there a reason why Cork-Glounthaune is faster than Glounthaune-Cork regardless of which service you're on?Padding is added at the end of the journey.
Andrew Roche from Irish Rail (Cork) was at Midleton station this morning. He was telling my mother that she could have bought her ticket from Midleton to Limerick online. Just checked there, it still says €0 when you click on "Check price".
I got the 06:45 to work this morning. about 20 passengers in total into Cork. About 12 boarded at Midleton, 1 at Carrigtwohill the rest at Glounthaune & Little Island.
TVM on platform 2 was operating this morning. TVM on platform 1 has something like a screensaver on it?
The PIS was telling everyone "The next train on platform 1 is the 06:38 to Midleton", displaying: 06:45 Midleton CallingAt: Littleisland, Glounthane ,, Carrigtwohill" <-exactly as I wrote it.
Train 2 was the 06:45 to Cork, but no mention of it.
Are these programmed @ Midleton station or from Mallow?
The "next train on platform 1 is the 06:38 to Midleton" arrived at platform 2!
The feeder bus (number 5) (http://www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1202223148-Cork5.pdf) connects beautifully from the Cobh/Mallow/Dublin trains. During the day, there is a xx:20 departure which connects from the Midleton train. In the morning, there are 07:10, 07:40, 08:10 departures of the bus from Kent. Not great for Midleton customers, when the Midleton train arrives in at 07:08, 07:38 & 08:08! For the past few mornings my train has arrived in at 07:10 = bus gone. Next bus is at 07:30.
I am writing to BE Cork to see if anything can be done about this as I cannot imagine there are many passengers on the services I mentioned above (07:10, 07:40, 08:10) from Kent to City Center / Patrick's Street. It would be better to defer them by at least 5 mins for the possibility of passengers, especially when the colleges start!
Another thing that I will include in the letter is the question as to whether the Monthly City Bus/Suburban Bus/Cobh Rail will also include the Midleton line. The TVM at Midleton includes the weeky tickets for Cork City Buses, Cork City/Suburban Bus & the City Bus/Suburban Bus/Cobh Rail.
FYI: 6.50 return from Midleton to Cobh.
Mark Gleeson
06-08-2009, 10:31
You can't book to Midleton currently, Irish Rail seem to think you can but you can't, yes the seat reservation people are aware of this now.
Even when it works you won't be able to start from Midleton until the TDM/TVM integration software thingy is finished as you can't collect a ticket in Midleton yet
The TVM's appear to run some class of windows, but really its becoming a bit of a running joke the machines should work all the time, both of them.
Forget the platform displays until the signaling system is completed they won't work
All departures in Midleton should be off platform 1, it allows a faster arrival and departure
There is certainly a combined bus and rail ticket which includes Midleton
Hi Mark,
do you what that ticket is? I'll ask about it at Kent this evening.
Finbarr.
Mark Gleeson
06-08-2009, 10:38
No idea, there is certainly a Mallow - Cork weekly bus/rail ticket which is code 120
Staff in Cork have been briefed with the new codes for Midleton (station = 068) so I'd assume they will know
Cool, will ask them about it this evening! I know about the Mallow one as I used to get that from time to time, BUT as usual, NO FRICKEN ADVERTISING!!!!!!! to tell us about it!!
All trains will be departing from platform 2 until further notice due to the TVM on platform 1 being out of action.
PIS now informs passengers of this.
Booking office was not staffed yesterday evening when I got there, so will ask about the combi-ticket when I am there next.
Finbarr.
dave wilson
08-08-2009, 21:49
Hi Guys,
pardon my innocent question but what do you mean when codes are mentioned, like 120 and 68?
Dave.
Colm Moore
08-08-2009, 21:52
Every station has a station number, so instead of typing "Midleton" into the ticket machine, the ticket clerk can just type "068".
I presume a similar thing happens with the ticket type - single, return, child, student, etc.
Mark Gleeson
09-08-2009, 14:38
Hi Guys,
pardon my innocent question but what do you mean when codes are mentioned, like 120 and 68?
Dave.
Given the lack of training in Irish Rail from time to time passengers encounter booking office staff who cannot issue the ticket you want since they lack the various codes.
Knowing the code yourself while a pain in the neck can be helpful. Its rather sad when passengers have to tell the clerk how to issue tickets!
Mark Gleeson
15-08-2009, 12:27
Someone really needs to save Irish Rail from themselves
So in Cork, no Midleton on the TVM
1055
All stations with M
Malahide
Mallow
Manulla Junction
Maynooth
Midleton
Millstreet
Monasterevin
Monkstown
Muine Bheag
Mullingar
Thanks to one of our team in Cork for this gem
train_traveller
22-08-2009, 17:01
z
Mark Gleeson
22-08-2009, 17:48
The Cork actually will make an operating profit so it can't be criticized on the funding basis
train_traveller
22-08-2009, 17:58
z
Colm Moore
23-08-2009, 08:22
Midleton and Carrigtwohill have been added here:
http://www.irishrail.ie/home/maps/intercity_map.asp?field=from&height=620&width=540
http://www.irishrail.ie/home/maps/cobh_map.asp?height=600&width=490&field=from
I finally got to use the service on Saturday.
Kent Station was insanely packed because of people trying to get to Dublin for the All-Ireland football semi. But as those kind of things are a one-off, it can probably be forgiven.
Some observations
Still no non-Cork stations on the TVM in Midleton (i.e. You can't walk up to the machine and buy a through ticket to Dublin, Killarney etc.)
Almost no cars in the car park in Midleton, but loads parked in the surrounding housing estates (this will gradually become an issue)
While restored, the station building in Midleton seems to be being used for nothing. Surely there was an opportunity to get a retail unit in there.
Almost nobody using the service in Carrigtwohill (on the way, one person got off, none got on; on the way back, one got on, none got off).
A surprising number of people were making journeys from Glounethaune/Little Island to Midleton and back.
Are there any TVMs in Little Island and Carrigtwohill? As you can't buy a ticket on board or at the station and there are no barriers, the service may as well be free.
Overall there was about 40-50 on both trains. Not bad as it was a Saturday and the trains I used were against the general flow of passengers.
For the record, the trains I used were the 11:15am Cork-Midleton and the 2:45pm Midleton-Cork.
As an aside, when upgrades are done to the TVMs, is it possible to push the software on remotely or does someone need to go to the machine and do it? Obviously, they must be connected to the internet or some EDI system if they can handle card payments, so the connectivity is there.
Mark Gleeson
24-08-2009, 08:58
Software is done remotely
Its frequently cheaper to buy a ticket to Cork and a ticket from there to Dublin. There was to be a staff presence for the first few weeks at Midleton but it never happened, even though it was advertised internally in Irish Rail
Little Island and Carrigtwohill have TVM's. Glounethaune is currently staffed
Colm Moore
24-08-2009, 15:08
Some observations
Almost no cars in the car park in Midleton, but loads parked in the surrounding housing estates (this will gradually become an issue)
This can be a problem. The solution, if needed is to put a time limit on parking or do pay & display and issue bona fide residents with residents permits for the cost of the administrative fee.
Midleton and Carrigtwohill appear to be integrated on the on-line timetable and maps http://www.irishrail.ie/home/maps/cobh_map.asp?height=600&width=490&field=from
Just beware of the last connection from Carrigtwohill to Cobh at night - bring a sleeping bag. :)
Although the engineering works that caused the bus substitutions are supposed to be ending this week, the online timetable seems to indicate that it will be going on for at least another week.
Are these related to the Lower Glanmire Road bridge?
And as the train crawls going through the bridge construction site, can we expect journey times to be reduced, even by only a minute, when its done?
Mark Gleeson
02-09-2009, 14:02
Works will continue till at least the end of the month
New signaling has to be installed and commissioned, thats one of the reasons behind the crawl
Any time saving will be offset by the new Dunkettle station if it ever gets built
Midleton Station & Carrigtwohill Station are still not on the TVM's! Got to Kent Station yesterday at 13:45, queued for 16minutes at the booking office due large crowds heading on the 14:30 to Dublin. Missed my train to Midleton, so ended up going to Glounthaune instead to get someone to pick me up!! Its madness with the line re-opened almost 2 months at this stage!
The only time I used it so far, I almost didn't get it because of getting mixed up in the queues for tickets to Dublin. I naively thought I could arrive at Kent Station at 5 past the hour for a quarter past departure and have plenty of time. And yet the ticket vending machines were unused at the time.
I assume the service was quite heavily used over the weekend because of the Midleton Food Festival?
Mark Gleeson
14-09-2009, 16:21
A few extra trains ran, but as always they where not advertised
The only time I used it so far, I almost didn't get it because of getting mixed up in the queues for tickets to Dublin. I naively thought I could arrive at Kent Station at 5 past the hour for a quarter past departure and have plenty of time. And yet the ticket vending machines were unused at the time.
I assume the service was quite heavily used over the weekend because of the Midleton Food Festival?
It must have been, I was not there myself, but a friend of mine lives close to Midletion station and said that a lot of people arriving by train on Saturday (4-car railcar operated on all Midleton services). A bus was provided from the station to the fair as well.
I have sent a letter off to Kent Station about the ticket machines not having Midleton & Carrigtwohill on them! Is mad that they do not have them on it - almost 2 months after it opening!
A few extra trains ran, but as always they where not advertised
With all the heads in IE/CIE you would flippin' think one of them has some sort of marketing background! :mad:
Mark Gleeson
14-09-2009, 16:25
I do actually know the guy in charge of marketing :D
Its always a secret when there are extra Cobh line services on Sundays as well. Despite its troubles Cork actually seems to have sufficent independence to actually throw on extra local trains when the need arises. Thats where the problem lies its very last minute its only when we get a call or text to let us know and post on the site does management in Dublin know of the extra trains probably
I do actually know the guy in charge of marketing :D
Its always a secret when there are extra Cobh line services on Sundays as well. Despite its troubles Cork actually seems to have sufficent independence to actually throw on extra local trains when the need arises.
Have you ever asked him what is with all the secrets like?
Some notice would be perfect like! I was on the 14:15 yesterday and it was well packed for Fota!
Yeah, fair play to Cork for the extra services. Next Sunday is an example of that!
Mark Gleeson
14-09-2009, 16:39
Extra trains is service plannings call not marketing, marketing is fares and ticketing.
The business development manager in Cork likes to go it alone, I know the Midleton Food Festival was on the list of 'you gonna need more trains'.
We do our best to relay the information, but even we don't know all the time. Simplest thing is - if cruise ship in Cobh -> extra trains
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