Quote:
|
Reinstating some/all of the 2700s and then some rejigging of sets could release some ICRs - I'd imagine they'd want to use the 5 car sets to ensure consistency of service with Enterprise Plus being offered.
|
Consistency, really....there is no a single bit of consistency between both services.
Quote:
|
That is a lot of rejigging but given the lack of interest by IE in providing 1st Class on other routes apart from Tralee the five car sets would see better use on the Belfast route.
|
Lack of interest, would think they are operating in the real world, there never has been strong demand for first class and never will be. Yes the product is not good however no matter how much you improve it, it will never be profitable as it just takes away standard seating on units and would required additional coaches i.e. restoring 5 coach units to 6 and so on.
And for what, maybe on a good day 6-10 people having a coach to themselves. Tralee does reasonably well when you compare to other routes however it's not spectacular by a long stretch. The same with Cork.
Time is money and IE would be better addressing such issues on the network.
This bravado that Belfast needs first class is complete rubbish, times have changed and I really don't think either company grasp that. Ask a single passenger what needs to change on the route:
Increase in service to hourly or just an increase?
Faster service?
Reliable service?
Would non first class stop you from using the service?
I think we know what the answers would be, with the service failing daily how on earth are the rich boy's coping with NIR stock, have they all switched to the cars, you know since first class is so critical to the route...
By all means provide on the real peak services but I'm sure even today off peak is not bursting at the scenes, so it's not so important.
It's like the whole Aer Lingus/Ryanair divide long ago, now they are more less the same!
Then who I am to tell the alleged experts running our railways who have made such wonderful decisions in the last few months, they would never be wrong
