[Article] Fine Gael says Dart services reduced in new timetable

[Colm Moore]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...260145474.html

Fine Gael says Dart services reduced in new timetable
MARIE O'HALLORAN

PASSENGER DEMAND for Dart services is being met, Iarnród Éireann has insisted after Fine Gael criticised the new timetable, claiming it had resulted in a reduction in peak-time services.

Dún Laoghaire-based Fine Gael Senator Eugene Regan said the changes, introduced on Monday, meant a 33 per cent reduction in rush-hour services, based on figures from Rail Users Ireland.

An Iarnród Éireann spokesman said however that overall the number of Dart journeys a day had been reduced only slightly from 163 to 156 journeys, and that while “some trains are busier, we are meeting passenger demand”.

He added that “when a new schedule comes in, changing an established pattern of travel, it can take a few days to adapt”. The company was monitoring the situation.

Mr Regan said however that peak-hour services were in effect being reduced. The rail company had announced a new 15-minute interval service to be introduced across the full day with additional services at peak-times to match demand.