Rail Users Ireland Forum

Go Back   Rail Users Ireland Forum > Irish Rail Customer Service Issues > General Irish Rail Discussion
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Unread 16-08-2009, 10:00   #1
IHIR
Regular Poster
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 47
Default Government introduce performance targets

this was in Sunday Times

CIE will be forced to improve its services or face fines and the possible loss of routes to private contractors under the terms of a new bill to be published by Noel Dempsey, the transport minister.

The legislation will force Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann and Irish Rail to deliver improvements in return for the funding they get from government.

It will permit the Department of Transport to impose significant fines on the companies or remove routes and seek tenders from private firms to operate them if standards are not met.

It also aims to ensure CIE uses funding it receives from the taxpayer more efficiently by forcing it to enter a legally binding contract which sets out key performance targets.

If the requirements are not met, the contract will allow the transport department to seek the return of monies it provides to subsidise the state company.

The proposals are contained in the Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 which is likely to come before the Dail in the autumn.

The transport agency received €310m from the state in 2008 to subsidise its services. Irish Rail received €197m in government funds last year while Dublin Bus got €81m and Bus Eireann received €32m


While i'd welcome the introduction of performance targets (which should obviously have been in place for year) , i am not sure the fine is of relevance given that the taxpayer contributes so much, so CIE would get money from the taxpayer, then make a cock up, then get fined and then give the same money back to the government? Wouldnt it be more in their line to do a full root and (union) branch review of what the subsidies are actually spent on? I live about 7 miles from cork and cant get a late bus home and the day time bus is hit and miss. I would like a transparent breakdown line by line of what the subsidy is spent on, that would be more effective i think
IHIR is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 16-08-2009, 10:11   #2
Mark Gleeson
Technical Officer
 
Mark Gleeson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Coach C, Seat 33
Posts: 12,669
Default

This has already been around for years but

Quote:
This Memorandum of Understanding on Service Levels and Targets is of no legal effect and is not binding on Iarnród Éireann or the Department of Transport. The parties to this Memorandum of Understanding do not intend any part of this Memorandum to have any contractual status of any kind
Its amazing what FOI will turn up

Irish Rail is in for a deep shock in December when some new EU rules arrive
Mark Gleeson is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 16-08-2009, 10:19   #3
ThomasJ
Member
 
ThomasJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Clonsilla
Posts: 2,812
Default

Thanks for that interesting article indeed!

I do think that this is setting us up for privatisation of some routes and this is what cie want. Wrc come to mind!

There are only so many improvements cie can make! It will be interesting to see how this pans out.
ThomasJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 16-08-2009, 11:36   #4
KSW
Really Regular Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Rosslare Line
Posts: 600
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson View Post
Irish Rail is in for a deep shock in December when some new EU rules arrive
They deserve everything coming to them.
KSW is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 16-08-2009, 12:04   #5
ThomasJ
Member
 
ThomasJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Clonsilla
Posts: 2,812
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson View Post
This has already been around for years but



Its amazing what FOI will turn up

Irish Rail is in for a deep shock in December when some new EU rules arrive
Whats so significant about the new rules coming in mark?
ThomasJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 16-08-2009, 12:32   #6
Mark Gleeson
Technical Officer
 
Mark Gleeson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Coach C, Seat 33
Posts: 12,669
Default

Very significant stuff http://www.railusers.ie/resources/eu...onibilites.pdf

Lots of additional requirements on Irish Rail, makes a large portion of the customer charter legally binding.

This new bill appears to be enacting most of this stuff, but Irish Rail haven't a hope of meeting the requirements by December
Mark Gleeson is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 16-08-2009, 20:33   #7
weehamster
Member
 
weehamster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Cathair Bhaile Átha Cliath
Posts: 199
Default

I really do hope that this new bill can shake things up once and for all, but I seriously do believe its is too late for IÉ and like an old sick dog, its time to put it down.

Humm... I wonder will I ask Santa for a new dog for christmas?
__________________
R.I.P. T21 Eradicate Fianna Fáil (Totally)
weehamster is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 16-08-2009, 20:49   #8
Mark Hennessy
Membership Officer
 
Mark Hennessy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Maynooth
Posts: 1,116
Default

Link to the article in the first post

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6797900.ece
Mark Hennessy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 17:49.


Powered by vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.