First train from Dublin to Cork (09:35)

laoisfan · 08-04-2013, 12:45

Hi

Just curious...why is the first train from Dublin to Cork only arriving into Cork around 09:35 ?

I seem to recall many moons ago when I was in CIT that there were earlier train circa 08:00-08:35am.

Has demand dropped off that much?

It's a pity there is no service that gets in earlier.

Jamie2k9 · 08-04-2013, 13:42

Wouldn't say that demand has dropped off but it was never there in the first place and it was fine to operate services lightly loaded back then.

I do think it would be good if the current 07.00 departed at 06.30 and arrived in Cork at 09.00.

laoisfan · 08-04-2013, 13:51

Well I was thinking perhaps if there was some way the first train could arrive in no later than say 8:30am - at least that way if you worked in the City Center or perhap Mahon Industrial Park ( cycle ), you would stand a chance.

9:35am is crazy to say the least.

I travel from Ballybrophy to Dublin (Park West) and am looking for options outside of Dublin, preferably where there is a train line. I would even consider driving the short distance down to Thurles to get the train the rest of the way.

Mark Gleeson · 08-04-2013, 13:59

This has been discussed before with Irish Rail, there isn't a business case currently to justify a 06:00 departure from Dublin, but the train ID A200 lies unused in expectation of this service running in the future.

There are plenty of trains from Mallow into Cork before 9am

Even in the good times the 07:00 service was rather quiet once past Limerick Junction, first class numbers used to be good which made it pay.

On paper a 06:00 would solve 4 problems

1. Dublin Cork arrive for a 9am start (08:30)
2. Dublin Limerick arrive for a 9am start (8:10 allowing time to get to UL, Plassey etc)
3. Limerick Cork arrive for a 9am start (08:30)
4. Charleville Cork for a 9am start (08:30)

A Charleville Cork service was tried but didn't attract the patronage required to continue

laoisfan · 08-04-2013, 14:05

Thanks Mark for the response, I suspected as much.

Fingers & toes crossed they may re-consider this option in the not too distant future!

comcor · 08-04-2013, 14:15

Wasn't Charleville-Cork only trialled for about a year? It tends to take more to build up patronage on a commuter service as people will make plans around it.

One thing that has happened in Cork since the Charleville experiment is much better connectivity of the train station. Back then, it was only really good for trips to the city centre or connections onto the Cobh line. Now, Midleton is also open and there are bus services to UCC and CIT (33K combined students) and Cork Airport (with 4K working there between the airport and the business park).

08-04-2013, 12:45	#1
laoisfan Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lovely Laois Posts: 100	First train from Dublin to Cork (09:35) Hi Just curious...why is the first train from Dublin to Cork only arriving into Cork around 09:35 ? I seem to recall many moons ago when I was in CIT that there were earlier train circa 08:00-08:35am. Has demand dropped off that much? It's a pity there is no service that gets in earlier.

08-04-2013, 13:59	#4
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	This has been discussed before with Irish Rail, there isn't a business case currently to justify a 06:00 departure from Dublin, but the train ID A200 lies unused in expectation of this service running in the future. There are plenty of trains from Mallow into Cork before 9am Even in the good times the 07:00 service was rather quiet once past Limerick Junction, first class numbers used to be good which made it pay. On paper a 06:00 would solve 4 problems 1. Dublin Cork arrive for a 9am start (08:30) 2. Dublin Limerick arrive for a 9am start (8:10 allowing time to get to UL, Plassey etc) 3. Limerick Cork arrive for a 9am start (08:30) 4. Charleville Cork for a 9am start (08:30) A Charleville Cork service was tried but didn't attract the patronage required to continue __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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08-04-2013, 13:42	#2
Jamie2k9 Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,146	Wouldn't say that demand has dropped off but it was never there in the first place and it was fine to operate services lightly loaded back then. I do think it would be good if the current 07.00 departed at 06.30 and arrived in Cork at 09.00.

08-04-2013, 13:51	#3
laoisfan Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lovely Laois Posts: 100	Well I was thinking perhaps if there was some way the first train could arrive in no later than say 8:30am - at least that way if you worked in the City Center or perhap Mahon Industrial Park ( cycle ), you would stand a chance. 9:35am is crazy to say the least. I travel from Ballybrophy to Dublin (Park West) and am looking for options outside of Dublin, preferably where there is a train line. I would even consider driving the short distance down to Thurles to get the train the rest of the way.

08-04-2013, 14:05	#5
laoisfan Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lovely Laois Posts: 100	Thanks Mark for the response, I suspected as much. Fingers & toes crossed they may re-consider this option in the not too distant future!

08-04-2013, 14:15	#6
comcor Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cork-Dublin, Cork Commuter and occasionally DART and Dublin-Wexford Posts: 855	Wasn't Charleville-Cork only trialled for about a year? It tends to take more to build up patronage on a commuter service as people will make plans around it. One thing that has happened in Cork since the Charleville experiment is much better connectivity of the train station. Back then, it was only really good for trips to the city centre or connections onto the Cobh line. Now, Midleton is also open and there are bus services to UCC and CIT (33K combined students) and Cork Airport (with 4K working there between the airport and the business park).