[article] Rosslare Strand becoming unmanned

[Traincustomer]

Originally from Wexford People newspaper 02/04/2013 Rosslare strand becoming unmanned
Staff to be let go from train station
Rosslare Strand Railway Station

David Tucker – 02 April 2013

JOBS are at risk at Rosslare Strand Station following a decision by Irish Rail to turn it into an unmanned operation.

It isn't yet clear whether any jobs will go, with Iarnród Éireann only saying it will be talking to staff about what it terms 'redeployment options'.

Spokesman Barry Kenny said in the context of the financial situation facing Iarnród Éireann, 'which has seen significant reductions in our subvention and a reduction in numbers travelling, we have to examine all elements of our cost base.

'As has happened in many other stations on the network, we have been reviewing manning levels at Rosslare Strand Station as part of this. While we have some outstanding analysis to complete, it is envisaged that we will be not be able to sustain a station staff presence at Rosslare Strand into the future. We will be engaging with affected staff in the coming weeks in relation to redeployment options.'

Rosslare Strand has had a fully staffed rilway station since it opened on June 24, 1882.

In response to a separate question, Mr Kenny denied local reports that services between Wexford and Rosslare Strand could be curtailed.

'Service levels south of Wexford are not being reviewed, and there is no reduction proposed to services to Rosslare Strand and Rosslare Europort.

'I would reiterate that we will continue to provide rail services to and from Rosslare Strand and Rosslare Europort. Indeed connections between Dublin and these stations have in fact increased in recent years, from three trains to four trains each way daily in 2011, and this service frquency was maintained in our most recent timetable review which took effect on 20th January 2013,' he said.

http://www.independent.ie/regionals/...-29169007.html
[c] Wexford People newspaper

[karlr42]

Isn't that a drivers depot as well?

[Traincustomer]

That's at Rosslare Europort.

[Jamie2k9]

'which has seen significant reductions in our subvention and a reduction in numbers travelling, we have to examine all elements of our cost base.

We will be engaging with affected staff in the coming weeks in relation to redeployment options.

Anybody else see a problme here, let staff go at one station and possibly redeployment elsewhere. I can see this having very possitive affects on there cost base.....

[Traincustomer]

Item was posted for information, comments above come across as personal to be honest. In future perhaps I just won't bother posting.

[Jamie2k9]

Didnt intend to offend you was just pointing out the statments made and if they are redeployed how will there cost base be reduced.

[Mark Gleeson]

There is no money to pay for staff, staff are 50% of the bottom line cost so unless you want fewer trains what choice is there?

Rosslare line trains generally carry a ticket checker due the number of unstaffed stations.

The only reason Rosslare Strand remained manned was the booking office contained the CTC panel to release the staff for the South Wexford line.

[Traincustomer]

Fair enough, I had just mentioned it as a point of information and don't see it as a problem providing an arrangement can be made for the main waiting room to be opened from say 07.00 to 18.00hrs.

There is only one waiting shelter on the main platform and that's located some distance along it from the main entrance/car park. Have no issue with the destaffing but it would be a shame to see the station become like for instance Rathdrum where metal platform shelters are the only facility and the station building per se is closed.

With our often inclement weather - whether cold or rain (as an aside there is a valid debate as to extreme weather being on the increase), waiting facilities are a part of the overall public transport experience and no deterioration/reduction in the provision of existing waiting facilities should be allowed to occur.

The Strand sees a noticeable swell in usage in the summer with holidaymakers and a solitary shelter is insuffice on a bad summer's day.

Does Rail Users Ireland know at this stage if any such arrangement is being put in place? It seems a quite reasonable expectation and with the port only a few kms away it should be relatively easy to put such an arrangement in place.

Perhaps my concern is unfounded but I would point out I'm only going on the information in the paper and feel this is a valid and reasonable point to raise.