Letter in the metro
 

There was a letter in the metro yesterday suggestion why don't IR have hubs in Greystones (Bray might be better), Malahide where the communter trains stopped there and people transfer onto a Dart to continue their journey.

I can understand what they are saying as it should help with the running of the darts

The theory is nice, but we ain't enough DART's and it would make slow journeys even slower

Just imagine a thousand people getting off a train at Malahide crossing a bridge and getting on another train.

True this is the model used in London and elsewhere but the change occurs in the city centre into an extensive underground network

This model can't be compared to London, where they actually have a transport system. Yes, people get a train into one station then change to a tube or other transport mode, but it's totally different to change in a big city station where you normally have a choice of tube lines, so most people can get to work with a single change to a line with a train every couple of minutes. They also don't schedule outer commuter trains right behind trains stopping at all stations.

I think the only time it would work would be off peak where the DART wouldn't be busy and you want to maximise the availability of diesel stock for the next rush hour.

Aww man, I hate it when the DART isn't busty! :p

Plus you'd need a traincare depot on the other outside lines in places like Mullingar and Gorey. Not saying this is a bad idea per se, but that's the situation because the diesels will need to be refuelled and serviced.

It's really hard to say how much this will help when DART is still operated with inadequate signalling and grade crossings or bridges which are prone to disruption, not to mention short sets and Alstom ornaments in Fairview.

In hindsight the 22K commuter order was a bad plan - we should have bought these. :D :D :D

That might not have been a bad idea :eek: