[23/12/08] 1325 Heuston-limerick

[plant43]

This service is only a 3 car 22k set.

[Mark Gleeson]

But did anyone have to stand? If there was a seat for everyone there is no problem, and no confusion about where a cup of tea can be found

13:25 is an exceptionally quiet service and regularly was only a 3 car Mk3 set

[plant43]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

But did anyone have to stand? If there was a seat for everyone there is no problem, and no confusion about where a cup of tea can be found

13:25 is an exceptionally quiet service and regularly was only a 3 car Mk3 set

Any other week no doubt it would have been fine, but it seemed to be down to standing room only at about 1310 when I walked past and there were still people queueing up.

[Mark Gleeson]

Trying to drill down to the core issue

A train can run as only 1 coach, if everyone gets a seat its not news (save the trainspotter types)

Without question under normal conditions no one should stand on an intercity service. The increased demand was foreseeable and there was other train sets available

The train wasn't booked out either and the IT guys have worked out a fairly clever solution which means regardless of the train type all the seats exist.

Anyone on the 13:25 who had booked and stood is entitled to a FULL refund http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_in...rvice_failures

[Thomas J Stamp]

sorry marko but perhaps on any other day apart from the day before christmas eve you can have a luxury (if you know what i mean) of using only three cars.

but if there are spare cars about, use them. better risk empty seats than standing people.

[Colm Moore]

I think a balance needs to be struck - not much need of a 6-car from Manulla Junction-Ballina normally (Fridays and Sundays and special events aside), especially if it is being fed from a 3-car train.

However, yes, on days with peak loadings, the full fleet should be out, save any in heavy maintenance (and schedule that for another time). Even the break-down spares should be looked at on those days. However, on those days, its important that capacity be matched to demand - no use in sticking the 6-car train on off-peak or on the wrong route if it means a 3-car will need to be used for a different service.

Separately, with more trains being run, they can individually be smaller.