Galway-Limerick intermediate timetable

[finnyus]

Originally Posted by comcor

A day after this thread appears here, a timetable appears on the Irish Rail website...

http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey...alway%2010.pdf

Anyone know what current passenger numbers are like for the 06:45 Ennis - Limerick? If this is well used, could I.E. not start the service from Gort? 06:15 Gort - Limerick. This would require the 06:00 Limerick - Galway service to start at least 30 minutes earlier. 08:39 arrival into Limerick is not the best arrival time into Limerick from stations north of Ennis for commuters (including students) - they still have to get from Colbert Station!

I know comparing the WRC and the Midleton line, is possibly like comparing chalk and cheese, due to population density, etc... BUT Midleton's initial service frequency (including arrival times in to Kent station) are one of the factors of its success (others being clockface timetable).

For a lot of people, the WRC will be a new service (not having experienced the last train services on the WRC). How can five services a day and this timetable make anyone want to get out of their cars?

Commuters need some form of flexibility: Someone commuting from Gort to Limerick everyday decides to take the train - the need to make sure that work/college times are within 08:39 - 18:05, otherwise the train is no use to them - flexitime does not seem to be part of I.E.

I am very much pro-rail, unfortunately I.E. does not seem to see the possible potential of this new line.