[Beekeeper]

from Southside People

No demand for Christmas DART Print E-mail
IARNROD Eireann has defended its decision not to run the DART on Christmas Day and Stephen’s Day on the grounds that not enough people would use it.“There’s never a DART on Christmas Day because the demand isn’t there,” spokesman Barry Kenny told Southside People.
The company was responding to a complaint by local Progressive Democrats activist Victor Boyhan who described the lack of DARTs on Christmas Day as “a disgrace”.
“If an elderly person or someone without a car wishes to visit family or friends on Christmas Day they should have that opportunity on public transport,” he said.
Mr Boyhan added that he felt CIE’s policy was directly in conflict with Government policy of encouraging people not to drink and drive.

“At a festive time like Christmas when we are encouraging people not to drink and drive, the provision of a comprehensive public transport network including the DART is both responsible and essential,” he said.
However Iarnrod Eireann say there’s never been a call for a Christmas DART service and they’re convinced there wouldn’t be a demand for one.
They’ve also stood by their policy of stopping DART services at 9pm on Christmas Eve on the grounds that people tend to stay in their localities after that time.
However, Mr Kenny said the company would “keep under review” the possibility of introducing a service on St Stephen’s Day in future years but not Christmas Day.