[Article] Waterford-Carlow-Dublin morning services

Kilkea · 07-12-2009, 16:24

http://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/tab...d-train-s.aspx

Anger as new train service is just the old train split in two
Last Updated 02 Dec 2009
By Mairead Wilmot
THERE appears to be a sting in the tail of the much heralded 8.06am express service from Carlow to Dublin. The recently-introduced train was widely welcomed by commuters in the county - but a shortage of carriages has meant that people getting on in Carlow have had to stand for the whole journey.

Rather than provide a full six carriages, which was the case with the original 8.55am train, Iarnród Éireann has opted to divide the number of carriages between the two services. There are now just three carriages on the early morning service between Waterford and Dublin, which reaches Carlow at

8.06am and is express to Dublin, and just three carriage for the later service from Waterford, which reaches Carlow at 8.55am.

“People are very angry,” said one commuter. “What Irish Rail has done is divide the 8.55am service with the new

8.06am service. They took three carriages from the old service and used them for the new service. Both of the trains are packed by the time they reach Carlow! It doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know what fast-one they think they are trying to pull.”

The situation worsened yesterday morning, Tuesday, when a large school trip was pre-booked onto the train.

“The train was absolutely jammed - it was ridiculous,” fumed the frustrated commuter.

Speaking about the situation, local councillor Walter Lacey called on Iarnród Éireann to restore a full and proper service to Carlow. “An irate commuter rang me from the train yesterday and explained that there was a very angry group of travellers having to stand for their journey,” explained cllr Lacey. “The same commuter contacted Irish Rail, only to be told that dividing the carriages wasn’t an error but was Irish Rail policy.”

Cllr Lacey said he also contacted Iarnród Éireann, which confirmed that it had divided the carriages between the two morning services. “A spokesperson said that Irish Rail would monitor the situation and, if demand continued over a period of time, they would review this policy. Irish Rail should immediately restore the full six-carriage service to their Carlow commuters. Apart from the cost of their journey, people should certainly not be expected to have to stand for over an hour on the journey.”

Kilkea · 21-12-2009, 13:42

Reply from IE on the Monday morning main commuter train now being serviced by a 3 car set:

"We have increased the number of services operated on the Waterford route but this requires maximum availability of all rolling stock at all times. To cover scheduled services on Sundays we have to operate trains of certain sizes to Dublin and as a consequence, there is insufficient rolling stock situated in Waterford on a Monday morning to allow for 6 Intercity railcars on both the 06.10 and 07.40 hrs. services. Therefore we have a smaller train on the 06.10 hrs. service as it normally has less passengers than the later 0740hrs. service. I appreciate the discomfort that this causes for passengers joining at stations en route.
I am sorry if you felt staff were rude and I have passed on your comments to the Station Manager in Waterford for his information. At this stage we are not in a position to guarantee a 6-carriage train on the 06.10 hrs. service from Waterford on Monday but our Operations and Service Planning Managers are aware of the current unsatisfactory situation.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Slowey,
Customer Relations Manager,
(Northern/Eastern), Connolly[/i]"

Oisin88 · 22-12-2009, 07:51

They get these wrong a lot:

Quote:

when a large school trip was pre-booked onto the train

You would wonder why they got rid of all the old trains before all the new ones had come (have I got that right technical peoples?)

Also

Quote:

Paul Slowey,
Customer Relations Manager,
(Northern/Eastern), Connolly

Good name for an Irish Rail employee! When will they employ Mr Fast?

finnyus · 22-12-2009, 09:58

Ok, instead of sending a 6 car train to Waterford on the Sunday, could IE just send a 3 car ICR from Portlaoise Depot to Carlow for 7:50am and 8:50am so that they can join up with the trains from Waterford?

simpson01 · 21-06-2011, 11:15

Has there been any update on this since 2009? Is the route still this bad or have IE added extra cars?

Thanks....

Mark Gleeson · 21-06-2011, 11:23

57 further coaches and 6 more repaired following an accident will appear over the next 9 months which will finally resolve the problem

Problem only occurs on Mondays

07-12-2009, 16:24	#1
Kilkea Regular Poster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Athy Posts: 111	[Article] Waterford-Carlow-Dublin morning services http://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/tab...d-train-s.aspx Anger as new train service is just the old train split in two Last Updated 02 Dec 2009 By Mairead Wilmot THERE appears to be a sting in the tail of the much heralded 8.06am express service from Carlow to Dublin. The recently-introduced train was widely welcomed by commuters in the county - but a shortage of carriages has meant that people getting on in Carlow have had to stand for the whole journey. Rather than provide a full six carriages, which was the case with the original 8.55am train, Iarnród Éireann has opted to divide the number of carriages between the two services. There are now just three carriages on the early morning service between Waterford and Dublin, which reaches Carlow at 8.06am and is express to Dublin, and just three carriage for the later service from Waterford, which reaches Carlow at 8.55am. “People are very angry,” said one commuter. “What Irish Rail has done is divide the 8.55am service with the new 8.06am service. They took three carriages from the old service and used them for the new service. Both of the trains are packed by the time they reach Carlow! It doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know what fast-one they think they are trying to pull.” The situation worsened yesterday morning, Tuesday, when a large school trip was pre-booked onto the train. “The train was absolutely jammed - it was ridiculous,” fumed the frustrated commuter. Speaking about the situation, local councillor Walter Lacey called on Iarnród Éireann to restore a full and proper service to Carlow. “An irate commuter rang me from the train yesterday and explained that there was a very angry group of travellers having to stand for their journey,” explained cllr Lacey. “The same commuter contacted Irish Rail, only to be told that dividing the carriages wasn’t an error but was Irish Rail policy.” Cllr Lacey said he also contacted Iarnród Éireann, which confirmed that it had divided the carriages between the two morning services. “A spokesperson said that Irish Rail would monitor the situation and, if demand continued over a period of time, they would review this policy. Irish Rail should immediately restore the full six-carriage service to their Carlow commuters. Apart from the cost of their journey, people should certainly not be expected to have to stand for over an hour on the journey.”

21-06-2011, 11:23	#6
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	57 further coaches and 6 more repaired following an accident will appear over the next 9 months which will finally resolve the problem Problem only occurs on Mondays __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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21-12-2009, 13:42	#2
Kilkea Regular Poster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Athy Posts: 111	Reply from IE on the Monday morning main commuter train now being serviced by a 3 car set: "We have increased the number of services operated on the Waterford route but this requires maximum availability of all rolling stock at all times. To cover scheduled services on Sundays we have to operate trains of certain sizes to Dublin and as a consequence, there is insufficient rolling stock situated in Waterford on a Monday morning to allow for 6 Intercity railcars on both the 06.10 and 07.40 hrs. services. Therefore we have a smaller train on the 06.10 hrs. service as it normally has less passengers than the later 0740hrs. service. I appreciate the discomfort that this causes for passengers joining at stations en route. I am sorry if you felt staff were rude and I have passed on your comments to the Station Manager in Waterford for his information. At this stage we are not in a position to guarantee a 6-carriage train on the 06.10 hrs. service from Waterford on Monday but our Operations and Service Planning Managers are aware of the current unsatisfactory situation. Yours sincerely, Paul Slowey, Customer Relations Manager, (Northern/Eastern), Connolly[/i]"

22-12-2009, 09:58	#4
finnyus Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cork City/Midleton/Mallow Posts: 211	Ok, instead of sending a 6 car train to Waterford on the Sunday, could IE just send a 3 car ICR from Portlaoise Depot to Carlow for 7:50am and 8:50am so that they can join up with the trains from Waterford?

21-06-2011, 11:15	#5
simpson01 New to the board Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1	Has there been any update on this since 2009? Is the route still this bad or have IE added extra cars? Thanks....