[article] Iarnród Éireann may close rail service amid falling demand

Mark Gleeson · 02-01-2012, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish Examiner

Iarnród Éireann may close rail service amid falling demand
By Seán McCárthaigh
MONDAY, JANUARY 02, 2012
IARNRÓD Éireann is expected to seek permission to close all rail services between Limerick and Ballybrophy in the near future because of falling passengers numbers on the route.

The line, which includes a commuter Limerick-Nenagh service, is widely seen as the least-used in the rail network. Passenger numbers using rail services between Ballybrophy and Limerick are believed to have fallen further following the opening of the full stretch of the M7 motorway between Dublin and Limerick — a development which has made commuting times between the two destinations quicker by car in most instances.

According to Iarnród Éireann, a total of 14,000 people travelled on the line between January 1 and September 11 last year — a daily average of just 55 passengers.

Under existing rules, Iarnród Éireann requires the approval of the National Transport Authority (NTA) for the closure of any services. Although the NTA has not received any proposal to date from Iarnród Éireann to close the Limerick-Ballybrophy route, the Irish Examiner understands the company, in the past year notified Transport Minister Leo Varadkar, that it is considering the closure of some lightly used rail lines.

A spokesperson for Mr Varadkar, said he was aware that Iarnród Éireann was looking at its business in the context of constrained finances and the need to generate further efficiencies. He has asked the company to draft a plan on how to achieve greater savings.

"He has made it quite clear that Iarnród Éireann must drive cost efficiencies as a priority before considering any change in the level of services or changes to the fare structure." The spokesperson added Iarnród Éireann had not yet submitted such a plan.

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/iarnr...nd-178779.html

Destructix · 02-01-2012, 10:31

Not surprised really. I don't know where this 55 figure daily came from. I see these train nearly everyday boarding at Colbert and its more like 5 people. Clonmel might be at risk too. Tomorrow there will be €5 return fares to Limerick. To be fair to Iarnród Éireann they did give a lot of incentives to this line and competing with hourly bus services aint easy but the line should be handed over to some other provider even as a heritage railway.

Inniskeen · 02-01-2012, 11:34

The line is to be closed due to falling numbers !

This line is a microcosm of the railway generally. Large amounts of money spent on track and other upgrades - little of any great consequence delivered.

Was there ever an intention to provide a viable service on the Limerick to Ballybrophy line ?

Any chance IR are playing politics on this one ?

Traincustomer · 02-01-2012, 18:37

Last post encapsulates very valid and questionable issues, particularly of spending vast sums of money and whether there was ever a genuine intent to develop the line.

If it is the case there are very well paid people within IÉ and they are not pushing to develop the railway to its full potential is it because of orders/understandings from a higher level or is it because they just don't care/don't have the requisite skills/have no confidence in their industry? Or is it purely money? Are the company giving up too easily and giving-in to "constraints"?

If it was a private undertaking it would be nobody's business (so to speak) but it's taxpayer's money and we're all paying through the nose so, without pointing fingers, it's reasonable to pose these and other questions and that they be debated constructively. Clearly there are some people both within and outside the company who have tried their best to develop the line.

If the proposal to cease the service is submitted, the 1958 notice probably can be expected Feb/March with final service April/May (if cessation approved by NTA).

Mark Gleeson · 02-01-2012, 19:05

Being fair the Nenagh line would have been first the close if there was a consistent scientific approach. Average load on the Waterford Rosslare was 30-40 per train. My last journey on Nenagh branch had a total of 5 onboard (for comparison my last journey Waterford Rosslare before the closure news broke was 32)

The NTA will authorise the close as they have laid down a marker and Nenagh will score much lower for retention than Waterford Rosslare

In expenditure terms the money spent on Nenagh is relatively small in comparison, about 300k a km, about 10-12 million in total. There was no crazy expenditure but the bare minimum to replace what needed to be replaced. Track Nenagh Ballybrophy is barely serviceable for passenger use

Destructix · 02-01-2012, 19:45

Nobody wants to see the Nenagh line close but all the money they have pumped into this line so far has gone into a big black hole. Slight improvements of speeds in parts according to one my mates who uses this line, but with falling passenger numbers and the high costs of maintenance/upgrading its just like burning money in the stove, money that could have gone on other lines like the Limerick Junction-Waterford line which had more than double the amount of customers and could attract a lot more commuters from Templemore/Thurles if fares were reduced and they added more trains. .

It’s said that the train on this line sometimes turns back at Birdhill because no other passengers are on the train going to Nenagh apparently.

Although he will be returned to the Dail, I can't see Alan Kelly doing as well as he did last year in the poles in 2014 for this.

I would love to know what he is thinking about sitting at his desk in the Department of Transport and if any arguments have happened between him and Leo Varadkar over this.

02-01-2012, 19:05	#5
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Being fair the Nenagh line would have been first the close if there was a consistent scientific approach. Average load on the Waterford Rosslare was 30-40 per train. My last journey on Nenagh branch had a total of 5 onboard (for comparison my last journey Waterford Rosslare before the closure news broke was 32) The NTA will authorise the close as they have laid down a marker and Nenagh will score much lower for retention than Waterford Rosslare In expenditure terms the money spent on Nenagh is relatively small in comparison, about 300k a km, about 10-12 million in total. There was no crazy expenditure but the bare minimum to replace what needed to be replaced. Track Nenagh Ballybrophy is barely serviceable for passenger use __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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02-01-2012, 10:31	#2
Destructix Really Regular Poster Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Tipperary Posts: 258	Not surprised really. I don't know where this 55 figure daily came from. I see these train nearly everyday boarding at Colbert and its more like 5 people. Clonmel might be at risk too. Tomorrow there will be €5 return fares to Limerick. To be fair to Iarnród Éireann they did give a lot of incentives to this line and competing with hourly bus services aint easy but the line should be handed over to some other provider even as a heritage railway.

02-01-2012, 11:34	#3
Inniskeen Really Regular Poster Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 951	The line is to be closed due to falling numbers ! This line is a microcosm of the railway generally. Large amounts of money spent on track and other upgrades - little of any great consequence delivered. Was there ever an intention to provide a viable service on the Limerick to Ballybrophy line ? Any chance IR are playing politics on this one ?

02-01-2012, 18:37	#4
Traincustomer Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ar an traein Posts: 602	Last post encapsulates very valid and questionable issues, particularly of spending vast sums of money and whether there was ever a genuine intent to develop the line. If it is the case there are very well paid people within IÉ and they are not pushing to develop the railway to its full potential is it because of orders/understandings from a higher level or is it because they just don't care/don't have the requisite skills/have no confidence in their industry? Or is it purely money? Are the company giving up too easily and giving-in to "constraints"? If it was a private undertaking it would be nobody's business (so to speak) but it's taxpayer's money and we're all paying through the nose so, without pointing fingers, it's reasonable to pose these and other questions and that they be debated constructively. Clearly there are some people both within and outside the company who have tried their best to develop the line. If the proposal to cease the service is submitted, the 1958 notice probably can be expected Feb/March with final service April/May (if cessation approved by NTA).

02-01-2012, 19:45	#6
Destructix Really Regular Poster Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Tipperary Posts: 258	Nobody wants to see the Nenagh line close but all the money they have pumped into this line so far has gone into a big black hole. Slight improvements of speeds in parts according to one my mates who uses this line, but with falling passenger numbers and the high costs of maintenance/upgrading its just like burning money in the stove, money that could have gone on other lines like the Limerick Junction-Waterford line which had more than double the amount of customers and could attract a lot more commuters from Templemore/Thurles if fares were reduced and they added more trains. . It’s said that the train on this line sometimes turns back at Birdhill because no other passengers are on the train going to Nenagh apparently. Although he will be returned to the Dail, I can't see Alan Kelly doing as well as he did last year in the poles in 2014 for this. I would love to know what he is thinking about sitting at his desk in the Department of Transport and if any arguments have happened between him and Leo Varadkar over this.