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Unread 01-10-2007, 08:40   #1
comcor
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Default 28-09-2007 18:00 Dublin-Cork

This was like a return to the bad old days of the Dublin-Cork rail service with extra swaying and bumps thrown in for good measure.

The problems:
  • The PIS didn't seem to operate after the train left Heuston. There were some scarcely comprehensible manual announcements, but that was it.
  • Passengers were forced to stand the whole way from Heuston to Mallow
  • Unexplained delays boarding at Heuston (the train was on the platform from when I arrived there at 17:30). Boarding started at 17:54 on my watch and the train left 10 minutes late as a result.
  • No sign of a train manager throughout the entire journey
  • The ticket checker was back in the uniform of a jumper that hasn't been washed in 3 years (Probably a minor complaint, but it gives the wrong image).
  • No trolley service
  • No announcement that the dining car was open or whether it was just serving snacks. There was an announcement when it was closing. It closed before the train reached Kilmallock.

I know it's probably not possible to add extra services to Cork, but what's the practicality of either adding extra carriages to peak hour MK4s or putting on a 17:45 to Limerick?

Last edited by comcor : 01-10-2007 at 08:45.
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Unread 04-10-2007, 10:20   #2
Mark Gleeson
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Information has reached us to indicate that there will be continuing delays to the departure of selected Dublin Cork services for the coming weeks. The 18:00 is one of those services. (18:00,19:00,20:00 and 21:00 are included)

Its a combination of staff shift and minimum break times issues combined with the excessive pre service tests required by the Mk4
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Unread 04-10-2007, 21:29   #3
Thomas Ralph
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Curious as the longest break time anyone is entitled to (according to the Organization of Working Time Act 1997) is 30 minutes, and the trains arrive in at xx:35 into Cork and xx:10 into Heuston (most of the time), so there should be enough time for them to take their break and get the train boarded and away on time...
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Unread 04-10-2007, 23:32   #4
Mark Gleeson
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Well train arrives at xx:15 or xx:20, add two minutes to get stuff and leave, the tests require at least 15 minutes, so if the train is even a minute late incoming there is a problem

Let us be clear here the drivers are entitled to a 30 minute break, thats a safety requirement

Sad fact is the older Mk3 train can be turned around faster than the new Mk4
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