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Jamie2k9: That's a bit negative! There is a large gap between the 1450 and the 1825 ex Waterford, and a fast 1600 service fills it nicely. If you provide good convenient services people will use them. My only gripe is that they don't do it 6 days a week. It takes time to build up custom, and it needs a bit of encouragement.
It not often I praise Irish Rail.
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It is good news and if there was demand for it all week it would operate. Remember the 16.50 wouldn't of being scrapped. It does very little for the gap as Carlow would carry the highest numbers and its the second departure within 40 minutes. Still a 2.5 hour gap.
If Limerick J could take a 4 coach then the 13.15 would most likely being a 4 coach on Saturday and on Fridays as quieter times of the year which is why IE only operate it as 3/6 as 4 coach unit has to be moved to the sidings after arrival in Limerick J.
With IE's financial position costs matter and running a empty Saturday service for the last 2 years is not acceptable when there is no need. Until January of this year the 17.35 ex Heuston was operated by a 3 coach unit and as a result of this the 07.10 on Monday had major problems for 3+ years. However since January they increased it to a 6 coach set to allow full capacity for the 07.10 on Monday. Now why don't they leave the spare 3 coaches from the 13.15 in Waterford and join the 3 coach from the 17.35 up for the 07.10 on Monday. Instead they are running 2 sets empty. Passenger numbers have not suddenly jumped by 200 on the 17.35 and even so they could probably get away with doing the same on the 16.40 either.
Its crazy decisions like this that is costing them big time.