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Unread 12-09-2006, 22:09   #5
Derek Wheeler
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kildare
Posts: 1,555
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Thanks for logging onto the board David.

The issue of Sunday services on this line has been ongoing since the day Hazelhatch reopened in the mid 90s. I live in Naas and have done for over 18 years. I highlighted this back then and was told that "no trains could be provided on Sundays as they were being used on inter city routes". That was true back then as IE did have a shortage and the new trains on the new Kildare route were used to alleviate problems elsewhere on the network every Sunday. This was due to both poor management of resources and lack of investment by Government.

However, that situation, no longer exists, but IE have still failed to provide a Sunday service. The "modern" excuse is no demand, which the dog in the street knows is a lie. IE just didn't bother and decided to forget about the issue. Too much hassle to the overworked fools in head office. The latest info suggests that from this December a Sunday service will be provided to Heuston. However, it could run all the way to Pearse station, serving Drumcondra, Connolly and Tara Street on the way. But IE management believe that this would "confuse" passengers and that most of them want to go to the Jervis centre anyway!!! Yep, thats what was witnessed in public, in Newbridge last March. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

In relation to the connecting bus service, this "wonder" dates back to the opening of the train service. The same "local" operators have been in place for nearly 12 years. If the "service" has ever been reviewed, then its findings have never been released and nothing has been changed. In fact latest versions of the timetable don't even refer to the feeder bus. I guess its left to the "locals" to assume, the same pile of crap turns up for some trains, like it has done for 12 years. Meanwhile, the cars keeping showing up, expecting a parking place, in an unsecured car park, devoid of any regulation or CCTV.

By now you're wondering why? Well its all because IE have this grand plan to build the Kildare Route Project.(none of which is actually in Kildare) It may well improve things, but in the interim, it appears that this forthcoming "holy grail" was an excuse to provide an absolutely diabolical service, on the basis that someday, things might improve.

For the record, the Kildare line stations of Sallins/Naas, Hazelhatch/Celbridge and the much maligned Clondalkin and Cherryorchard are the only commuter stations in Ireland without a Sunday service. FACT.
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