[article] State’s lack of respect for services affects us all

[StephenM]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Fact is we took the time to find out why, instead of the usual grumble grumble uninformed ranting we now know what is going on.

That was a step forward I would say as I find the tone on this forum to be more anti-Irish Rail and it was good that you went to Drogheda. I'd have sympathy for the crew there more than anything else.

[Mark Gleeson]

Challenge now is how to address this issue

Fact is even when the new trains come into service this class of problem will continue as the beer cans and other debris will continue to be wedged into the toilet by those upstanding members of society who think its fun.

Sadly the modern toilet designs don't respond well to the mop and bucket routine and can require total replacement in some cases following the act of vandalism, several of the Dublin Cork trains have had brand new toilets fitted after various items where wedged into them

We are left in a difficult situation, what is better

Train has a defective toilet, does the train
1. Run at a reduced length if possible
2. Cancel and strand people
3. Run as normal

Now while the issue at hand is not really Irish Rail's fault you can be very sure they can implement some proceedures which could reduce the scale of the issue

Eliminating the yob/drinking culture off trains would be a good start

[Thomas J Stamp]

Originally Posted by StephenM

I find the tone on this forum to be more anti-Irish Rail

Thank you, I'm only here because I'm a customer. If the service provider is running a service that is deficent it is the fault of the service provider.

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Train has a defective toilet, does the train
1. Run at a reduced length if possible
2. Cancel and strand people
3. Run as normal

Now while the issue at hand is not really Irish Rail's fault you can be very sure they can implement some proceedures which could reduce the scale of the issue

This train was 10 mins out of connolly when this happened. A cursory inspection of the train by the staff would have resulted in, for example, Mrs Mop draining the toilet then maybe locking the door. Result is that the stuff wouldnt escape. We dont know there was a drinks can in this issue, many things block toilets, they could invest in a plunger.

[zag]

If it is the case that modern toilets on trains don't lend themselves to a quick solution with a plunger and a mop then you have to question the design criteria that were used.

We all know that almost everywhere in the world you will get vandals trying to break things. If moving from the old hole in the floor model to super whizz bang toilets which can be blocked and put out of commission 3 minutes into a 3 hour journey is seen as progress then bring back the old days is what I say.

I know we don't want to have raw sewage coating the rails (and your future garden furniture), but neither do we want to have toilets that can be decommisioned that easily and cause inconvenience to so many.

z

[Thomas J Stamp]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Sadly the modern toilet designs don't respond well to the mop and bucket routine and can require total replacement in some cases following the act of vandalism, several of the Dublin Cork trains have had brand new toilets fitted after various items where wedged into them

Originally Posted by zag

If it is the case that modern toilets on trains don't lend themselves to a quick solution with a plunger and a mop then you have to question the design criteria that were used.

Z is correct and right. I have never heard of a toilet that has to be replaced just because something gets stuck in it. Bad design choice led to this situation.

[StephenM]

Originally Posted by Thomas J Stamp

Thank you, I'm only here because I'm a customer. If the service provider is running a service that is deficent it is the fault of the service provider.

It appears I get a better service than others then... Largely I'm content but obviously there are problems. I've never found a perfect service provider to date...