Wicklow Train Overcrowding Today 23/09/08

[ErnestGoodheart]

Irish Rail again showing they don't give a toss about any service that doesn't have the letters D, A, R & T in the title.

4 carraiges this morning leaving Wicklow at 7:30am.

Only 5% or so of the people gettin on at Wicklow got a seat.

Elderly people standing, for well over an hour. Granted someone should have given their seat, but that's not the point.

Was the 6:40 cancelled or something?

[Roy Boy]

This train seems to be minus a couple of carriages every morning now !
So that means most people seem to stand from Wicklow.
Can any one tell us why?

[Mark Gleeson]

Though denied there is a shortage of coaches, the fleet is overstretched so a single breakdown results in a problem. Its classic bad planning by Irish Rail.

Rosslare line is generally chosen as it has the highest ratio of seats to passengers than any other route. Even on a normal day with full length trains you would get left behind on most other routes

[KSW]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Rosslare line is generally chosen as it has the highest ratio of seats to passengers

Seen last nights 17:25 from Connolly to Gorey(Enniscorthy) it was a 2X2 2800 set which I have to say looked small rather than seeing a 29000 4 coach set the 2800 dont look right without 6coaches When are the new 22000 railcars coming into operation????

[Mark Gleeson]

If the Maynooth line passengers discovered how much standing room is available on the Gorey services there would be trouble.

Sadly it works like this, if you take 2 coaches off the Maynooth line you leave about 200 people behind, take 2 coaches off the Rosslare line you are unlikely to leave anyone behind.

Given the mess that is Irish Rail, first priority is to get to your destination. That can be trouble enough, once Irish Rail master that hopefully they can sort out getting the trains on time, followed by a seat for everyone

[ErnestGoodheart]

Considering they strat upping prices it is a disgrace.

Same again today. Standing from Wicklow for the whole 80 Minute Trip.

Thankfully, I am on the 109 Bus from Dunshaughlin most mornings now, slightly better service. Always get a seat. Even if 3 buses pass you before on eventually stops 20 minutes later. Tounge, firmly in cheek.

[Laois Commuter]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

.... followed by a seat for everyone

That is a stupid and unrealistic aspiration. No commuter service in the world provides, or even attempts to provide 100% seating at all times - it is simply not viable or realistic to do so without huge subvention or much, much higher fares to pay for additional stock which makes just two runs per day (plus of course the empty runs to get to and from depot, with which you also disagree).

LC