Portarlington meeting?

2Funki4Wheelz · 24-10-2006, 10:34

Not sure where to post this - does anyone have any information on a meeting by the Portarlington Rail User Group? I overheard people on the train mentioning something about Wednesday but I didn't spot a notice in the station this morning.

Stephen O'Leary · 24-10-2006, 13:53

Hi

The meeting is been held in the Pint O' Port Upper Main Street Portarlington on Wednesday the 25th October at 8.00pm

2Funki4Wheelz · 24-10-2006, 15:54

Thanks for that

kilman · 24-10-2006, 21:20

2Funki,
There were leaflets been passed out one of the mornings last week.
I'm hoping to get to this meeting tomorrow but if not can you post up details.
I believe they are to have the timetable.

2Funki4Wheelz · 25-10-2006, 08:28

Will do, me and some neighbours are going. I was off work last week so that must be why I missed the leaflets.

2Funki4Wheelz · 26-10-2006, 09:21

See attached proposed timetable Dublin-Portarlington (although Myles said this has gone to the printers and is ready for proofing - that doesn't sound that 'draft' to me!)

proposed timetable.doc

Due to the 'Kildare Line Project' (to 2009) delays of 5 - 7 mins are to be expected and these delays have been incorporated into the timetable, so I guess we'll be getting up earlier to get in for the same time

There a few extra services and it was felt overall that it was the best timetable Port had ever had.

The Portarlington platform is to be extended on both sides, this project is expected to start around February and is scheduled for approx 10 months. Level of disruption unknown.

The track is also to be straightened at some time in the future, although this is for non-stop services and is of no benefit to Port residents.

No later services than the 21.00 out of Dublin to Port or Portlaoise, due to a lack of rolling stock and the works(which will take place mostly at night), although at a push Myles said he hoped for some movement on this maybe in 2007, as it was one of the most requested services. Until then though, there is no real scope for improvement.

The car park is on a priority list for CCTV (digital) and the IE Board had approved the spend. It was confirmed that the Gardai had agreed to do twice daily runs around the car park. A few shocking stories - cars overturned, doors off etc. The station staff have refused to get involved and will not alert the Gardai if they observe any activity.

Paid security patrolled car park schemes have been piloted in Mallow @€2.00 a day and people asked that this be included in there tickets where possible and it was suggested this may discourage the people that drive from 5 minutes away.

Extension of the car park was also being investigated, a paper had been submitted to the IE board on this.

Numerous calls were made to do something about the 'Calcutta express', the nickname for the 17.10 out of Dublin, which is sardine packed until Newbridge/Port, has leaks and is basically rotting away. Again, nothing can be done about this until new stock arrives.

The attendees asked that 'hosts' as per the new Cork trains, be provided on the trains with the poorest service (17.10 & 17.55 out of Heuston) as the PA rarely worked and they suffered the most/worst delays. As the Cork train has a (fully) functioning PA, it seems ridiculous to 'double' cover the train, with PA and host. Myles confirmed that serious customer service changes were underway and the 'Host' concept was getting excellent feedback. It was hoped to get this service across all routes in the future.

Customer Service in general received a hammering at the meeting, especially rudeness from IE staff. Name badges are to be introduced in the future which may encourage the staff to feel more responsible for their actions and Customer Service training is underway. (Though as someone pointed out, basic common sense and courtesy would be a good start, no need to spend money on that!)

One person asked Myles to give more actual times for the developments above, with sepcific deadlines etc and Myles is to revert to the Rail Users Group within a month. He also hopes to meet with the group around 4 times annually and another public meeting can be held if necessary.

Let me know if I missed anything! Very long post I know but I take minutes a lot in my job so I have plenty of notes!!), well done to Stephen for organising, and well done to everyone who turned up on a horrible rainy night.

24-10-2006, 10:34	#1
2Funki4Wheelz Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Portarlington Posts: 397	Portarlington meeting? Not sure where to post this - does anyone have any information on a meeting by the Portarlington Rail User Group? I overheard people on the train mentioning something about Wednesday but I didn't spot a notice in the station this morning. __________________ Customer Service costs nothing...

24-10-2006, 15:54	#3
2Funki4Wheelz Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Portarlington Posts: 397	Thanks for that __________________ Customer Service costs nothing...

25-10-2006, 08:28	#5
2Funki4Wheelz Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Portarlington Posts: 397	Will do, me and some neighbours are going. I was off work last week so that must be why I missed the leaflets. __________________ Customer Service costs nothing...

26-10-2006, 09:21	#6
2Funki4Wheelz Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Portarlington Posts: 397	Proposed Timetable See attached proposed timetable Dublin-Portarlington (although Myles said this has gone to the printers and is ready for proofing - that doesn't sound that 'draft' to me!) proposed timetable.doc Due to the 'Kildare Line Project' (to 2009) delays of 5 - 7 mins are to be expected and these delays have been incorporated into the timetable, so I guess we'll be getting up earlier to get in for the same time There a few extra services and it was felt overall that it was the best timetable Port had ever had. The Portarlington platform is to be extended on both sides, this project is expected to start around February and is scheduled for approx 10 months. Level of disruption unknown. The track is also to be straightened at some time in the future, although this is for non-stop services and is of no benefit to Port residents. No later services than the 21.00 out of Dublin to Port or Portlaoise, due to a lack of rolling stock and the works(which will take place mostly at night), although at a push Myles said he hoped for some movement on this maybe in 2007, as it was one of the most requested services. Until then though, there is no real scope for improvement. The car park is on a priority list for CCTV (digital) and the IE Board had approved the spend. It was confirmed that the Gardai had agreed to do twice daily runs around the car park. A few shocking stories - cars overturned, doors off etc. The station staff have refused to get involved and will not alert the Gardai if they observe any activity. Paid security patrolled car park schemes have been piloted in Mallow @€2.00 a day and people asked that this be included in there tickets where possible and it was suggested this may discourage the people that drive from 5 minutes away. Extension of the car park was also being investigated, a paper had been submitted to the IE board on this. Numerous calls were made to do something about the 'Calcutta express', the nickname for the 17.10 out of Dublin, which is sardine packed until Newbridge/Port, has leaks and is basically rotting away. Again, nothing can be done about this until new stock arrives. The attendees asked that 'hosts' as per the new Cork trains, be provided on the trains with the poorest service (17.10 & 17.55 out of Heuston) as the PA rarely worked and they suffered the most/worst delays. As the Cork train has a (fully) functioning PA, it seems ridiculous to 'double' cover the train, with PA and host. Myles confirmed that serious customer service changes were underway and the 'Host' concept was getting excellent feedback. It was hoped to get this service across all routes in the future. Customer Service in general received a hammering at the meeting, especially rudeness from IE staff. Name badges are to be introduced in the future which may encourage the staff to feel more responsible for their actions and Customer Service training is underway. (Though as someone pointed out, basic common sense and courtesy would be a good start, no need to spend money on that!) One person asked Myles to give more actual times for the developments above, with sepcific deadlines etc and Myles is to revert to the Rail Users Group within a month. He also hopes to meet with the group around 4 times annually and another public meeting can be held if necessary. Let me know if I missed anything! Very long post I know but I take minutes a lot in my job so I have plenty of notes!!), well done to Stephen for organising, and well done to everyone who turned up on a horrible rainy night. __________________ Customer Service costs nothing... Last edited by 2Funki4Wheelz : 26-10-2006 at 10:51.

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24-10-2006, 13:53	#2
Stephen O'Leary New to the board Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5	Hi The meeting is been held in the Pint O' Port Upper Main Street Portarlington on Wednesday the 25th October at 8.00pm

24-10-2006, 21:20	#4
kilman Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 42	2Funki, There were leaflets been passed out one of the mornings last week. I'm hoping to get to this meeting tomorrow but if not can you post up details. I believe they are to have the timetable.