Sunday services on the Kildare line

[Derek Wheeler]

Press Release

“Sunday services on the Kildare line”

Date: 10th December 2006.
From: Derek Wheeler. Communications & Media Officer. Platform 11.
Contact: (086) 345 26 51
Issued by: Platform 11. The National Rail Users Organisation.


Platform 11, the National Rail Users Organisation has today welcomed the early introduction of Sunday services on the Kildare rail route. It is the last commuter railway in the Greater Dublin Region to gain a Sunday service. Platform 11 has campaigned for over a year to ensure that this Sunday service was introduced. Representatives travelled today in order to gage public reaction and monitor passenger usage.
Platform 11 Communications and Media Officer, Derek Wheeler said, “Finally the Kildare route is brought into the 21st century. Sunday is no longer the sleepy rest day it used to be and it’s about time that people in Naas, Sallins and Celbridge can benefit from travelling by rail on a Sunday. People were thrilled with it. It was sheer stupidity that it took this long.”
The new Sunday timetable has been introduced early to facilitate people who wish to shop in Dublin and avail of public transport during the busy Christmas season. However the Sunday service will be a central part of the forthcoming new timetable due out in January.
“We asked Irish Rail to provide a Sunday service on this route 18 months ago. We even suggested Christmas shopping specials for last Christmas. But we’re glad that it’s here now. Better late than never and we look forward to people benefiting from the service throughout the year”, added Mr. Wheeler.
The new service offers five trains to Heuston from Newbridge, Sallins/Naas and Celbridge. Five dedicated return trains are also provided. However Platform 11 remains unconvinced and would like to see more services and changes added to the Sunday timetable that facilitate people working and those who wish to get direct access to the heart of the city.
“At least one early morning departure is required and the possibility of routing all new Sunday services to Pearse station is still an issue for us”, stated Mr. Wheeler. “While capacity is an issue Monday to Saturday, there is absolutely no valid reason why Kildare commuter trains cannot run through the Phoenix Park Tunnel to Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse Stations on Sundays. It opens up new areas for Kildare commuters and provides them with seamless rail connections north and south of the city, without the hassle of transferring to Luas or bus at Heuston. It’s a concept that is worth exploring while we await the grand promises of Transport 21.”
The Kildare line has been a bone of contention with regular weekday users and Irish Rail appear to be cooperative in attempting to deal with these aspects of the service. However the onset of Sunday services opens up the railway to attract new customers.
“If we are going to instil confidence and faith in the Kildare rail service, then we must address all aspects of the service provided and encourage non-regular users by way of offering the best possible service”, said Mr. Wheeler.

ENDS.
Notes for Editors:
• Platform 11 is Ireland's Rail Users Organisation. We campaign on behalf of rail users for better rail services throughout Ireland
• Platform 11 is a member of the European Passenger Federation, the voice of public transport users in Europe
• Rail passengers who are interested in joining Platform 11 can visit http://www.platform11.org
• For more information contact:
o Derek Wheeler. Communications & Media Officer at (086) 345 2651