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Originally Posted by berneyarms
So therefore you'd be happy for the newly recruited DART drivers to be effectively sitting around doing damn all for six months? That's effectively what's going to happen if it's deferred again.
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Rather see them sitting round doing nothing than driving unneeded services, the principal impact of which will be to create delays and congestion.
Quote:
Originally Posted by berneyarms
Nor do I think that the completion of the city centre re-signalling project is going to make that much difference with regard to the 10 minute DART service. The entire northern half of the DART line is already re-signalled.
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The next section of the city centre re-signalling is the most significant as it will allow extra services across the loop line and provide purpose designed turn-back. Should be commissioned later this year provided the RSC don't sit on it for a year or two !
The new signalling should allow a train to turn back at Grand Canal Dock and a 2nd turn-back service to stand outside Grand Canal Dock without impeding through services in either direction.
Quote:
Originally Posted by berneyarms
As I have posted before, I think the extended DART running times in the proposed timetable are in fact a reflection of the reality that the trains are actually taking longer than the current schedule allows - therefore I don't see any point in retaining a timetable that doesn't reflect reality. If the schedule can't be achieved, then it needs to be changed. Therefore people will be gaining from a more reliable timetable.
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I am not convinced by this argument. One of the consistent complaints on the Irish Rail twitter feed is the early departure of DARTs (and other trains), particularly at off-peak periods. Even services like the 0730 from Greystones often depart Connolly early. Some off peak DARTs frequently run 3 or 4 minutes early depending on the driving style. The incrementally increased allowances over the years has engendered a somewhat disinterested driving style and a very relaxed attitude to station stops.
The nonsense of crew changing at Fairview is another factor which adds delay and congestion.