The current arrangements make sense and meet the real needs of passengers.
Eliminating Limerick Junction serves no purpose as it would make journeys longer for nearly all passengers to/from Limerick
Dublin Limerick change at Limerick Junction will always be faster than an all stops Dublin Limerick train
A change at Thurles would add time in two ways, firstly the 2700 units are limited to 70mph on what is a 90mph railway plus the 2700 unit would have to wait 5-7 minutes before it could set off as the signaling doesn't allow trains to follow at close intervals. You would need more units to cover the shuttle which means more staff, more miles, more cost and more delays
Then what of Cork Limerick?, Waterford Limerick Junction and so on
The car park at Limerick Junction is just as busy if not busier than Thurles so there is demand from there. The Thurles Limerick morning train serves Limerick Junction and specials for Tipperary GAA normally start from the Junction
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