Kildare media

[Derek Wheeler]

Spotted this in the leinster Leader.

Rail users say price and poor service driving commuters back to cars



« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryPublished Date: 09 October 2008
By CONOR MCHUGH
RAIL campaigners have claimed a 20 per cent reduction in commuters at Newbridge Rail station.

Although they admit that their figures are based on anecdote and estimates, Irish Rail has not contradicted the assertion.

In fact at a recent meetingADVERTISEMENTorganised and hosted by local TD Sean Power in Leinster House between Newbridge Rail Group and Irish Rail, the company admitted the reduction was “there or thereabouts”.

“We believe there were 1200 passengers getting on the train every day in Newbridge,” Garret Cummins of NRG told the Leinster Leader. “And based on usage of the car park, we believe it’s down 20 per cent. “There was a time when you couldn’t get a parking space after 7.30am, but a colleague of mine got one at 9.15am recently.”

He made his comments on Monday last, October 6, the same day that Irish Rail introduced parking fees at their car parks.

NRG believes that this, coupled with improvements to the road networks such as the re-opened Red Cow junction and barrier free tolling, has encouraged commuters to start using their cars once again.

“Once the Red Cow re-opened, you could almost breathe on the train again,” he said. “And there was another drop when the barrier free tolling kicked in.

“There is usually a drop in summer, but when term time started up again, we haven’t noticed it being busier.

“In the meeting, Irish Rail admitted that the figures had fallen across the board. They claimed this was because there were less foreign nationals around to use them, but I don’t buy that.”

Instead NRG believe, and have campaigned hard on the issue, that the additional cost of car parking will add n500 to a commuter’s annual bill, and tip the balance in favour of using their car.

“If you drive a car, you’re guaranteed a seat, you know it will go when you want it to go and with the improvements in the road network you’re guaranteed to be moving all the time.”

Since the Group was formed almost three years ago they say that some of the more basic facilities have not been addressed, such as shelters and lighting.

“In spite of three public meetings, commitments and promises, Newbridge has fallen behind the rest of the rail network notwithstanding the fact that rail users in Newbridge pay more per mile than any other rail user in the country,” the Group say in a statement to local media.

NRG claim that they are discriminated against when compared to their fellow rail users from Sallins and Hazelhatch who have a free shuttle bus to and from the station.

Minister Power has requested Irish Rail to provide him with a progress report on infrastructural issues affecting rail users in Newbridge.

He noted that “Newbridge rail users can no longer be asked to pay top prices for very poor facilities.

“Investment in the Newbridge Station was urgently required and I look forward to a commitment from Irish Rail in making that investment”.

Im assuming that the reasons cited have come from RUI, because I noted a few quotations from Mark Gleeson in the Daily Star two weeks ago. In that article Mark stated that the fall off in passenger numbers across a few lines was, "due to road improvements and car parking charges." Ive been accused of a lot of things lads, but this is careless. Never state as fact what cannot be backed up with hard evidence. Only today in the media there was a discussion about the sudden availability of child care places after years of shortage. I didn't hear any of the contributers say that it was due to people quitting jobs or bringing their kids to work. The concensus was grounded in the rise in unemployment. This sudden rise will obviously have an impact on train services. I think both RUI and NRG have got this one wrong and it does very little for credibility. To cite the barrier free tolling on the M50 as a reason for a fall off in passenger numbers on the Kildare line is near rediculous. Think about it. Pay parking is another dubious reason considering the period that the rail figures are from.

I don't know if its mis-quoting or just sensationalism, but its weak either way. I drive up the N7 everyday and I can tell you that Ive noticed less volumes since the school term kicked back in, in September. There are 1000s of fewer jobs now and its climbing everyday.

NRG have many really decent issues that need sorting and I wish them the best with it all, but be mindful (and RUI) of comments that do no favours.