Could IE cope with an influx of passengers?

ThomasJ · 11-02-2015, 13:24

The reason im thinking this is, because the conditions that I believe, led to an increase in passenger numbers on, lets say, the Maynooth line the last time is arising again. For example, nearly 20 minutes was spent on the quays this morning on the bus, alongwith other areas and its happening almost on a daily basis now. They are adding a bit of time to journies in the morning peak

The question I am asking is, do you think that lines like the Maynooth line could cope if there was to be a considerable increase in passenger numbers. I know that there has been a few complaints on twitter that the trains are quiet packed. Could irish rail cope if this was to happen?

Jamie2k9 · 11-02-2015, 13:30

If the 2900 are increased from 4 to 8 coaches they could cope well.

ThomasJ · 11-02-2015, 13:36

but have they the stock to do that?

would they have sufficent number of both them (and 22ks tto ensure they dont need them on intercity line) to run 8 coaches on the line without the need of a timetable to make this possible?

Jamie2k9 · 11-02-2015, 14:14

Yes, they cut coaches dratmacially around 18 months ago while they have not added any servixe. They could easily cater for medium term growth.

22 can be freeded up from Cork line.

They have capacity, just takes good managment of it when passengers require it.

There is also the 2700 which are out service but a few whispers they may come back in future which would free up 2800.

James Howard · 11-02-2015, 14:41

There is some much stock lying idle at the moment that there would be no real issue in coping with massive increases in numbers.

Restoring more Mk4s to service would allow use of the 22ks on outer commuter services to Longford and Dundalk. Obviously if numbers were to jump by that much, there would be revenue to bring back mothballed stock of which there is no shortage.

However, no doubt Irish Rail will have the cap out complaining to the government about the need to replace 15 or 20 year old trains because they are just too old an inefficient.

Mark Gleeson · 11-02-2015, 14:54

To be fair you need to 2700 units back in the fold and get the 2800 units back to Dublin

All the mothballed stuff needs major overhaul so looking at anything from 50-100k per coach, so revenue increases won't really help as they won't even cover the operational costs

ACustomer · 11-04-2015, 11:33

Recently I have seen reports of 2600 or 2800 railcars being used from Limerick Junction to Dublin because the connecting Cork trains were unable to cope with the numbers. So much for the wisdom of substituting 4-car ICRs for Mark 4s on the Cork route.

Furthermore several Mark 4s observed recently have only a DVT + 6 carriages. I wonder at IEs ability cope cope with existing numbers, never mind any growth in demand.

Jamie2k9 · 11-04-2015, 11:58

The service in question from Cork was Mark IV, the Limerick shuttles always operate to Dublin odd days. Only 2 are 6 coaches. The reduced Mark IV are larger than 4/5 ICR in standard capacity and have replaced 22 on Cork services.

Given it was Easter its hardly a good guage of demand however some of the capacity planning was appalling last Tueaday for some services. Prehaps Tralee or Limerick needs to operate directly when both connect with Cork as what happened wth the 10.20 and preferably an ICR.

Inniskeen · 12-04-2015, 10:12

Whether Cork trains are overcrowded or not is generally determined by traffic to from the Kerry road. In previous years there were far more through trains from Dublin, especially at holiday times.

11-02-2015, 13:24	#1
ThomasJ Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Clonsilla Posts: 2,812	Could IE cope with an influx of passengers? The reason im thinking this is, because the conditions that I believe, led to an increase in passenger numbers on, lets say, the Maynooth line the last time is arising again. For example, nearly 20 minutes was spent on the quays this morning on the bus, alongwith other areas and its happening almost on a daily basis now. They are adding a bit of time to journies in the morning peak The question I am asking is, do you think that lines like the Maynooth line could cope if there was to be a considerable increase in passenger numbers. I know that there has been a few complaints on twitter that the trains are quiet packed. Could irish rail cope if this was to happen?

11-02-2015, 14:14	#4
Jamie2k9 Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,146	Yes, they cut coaches dratmacially around 18 months ago while they have not added any servixe. They could easily cater for medium term growth. 22 can be freeded up from Cork line. They have capacity, just takes good managment of it when passengers require it. There is also the 2700 which are out service but a few whispers they may come back in future which would free up 2800. Last edited by Jamie2k9 : 11-02-2015 at 14:23.

11-02-2015, 14:54	#6
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	To be fair you need to 2700 units back in the fold and get the 2800 units back to Dublin All the mothballed stuff needs major overhaul so looking at anything from 50-100k per coach, so revenue increases won't really help as they won't even cover the operational costs __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

11-04-2015, 11:58	#8
Jamie2k9 Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,146	The service in question from Cork was Mark IV, the Limerick shuttles always operate to Dublin odd days. Only 2 are 6 coaches. The reduced Mark IV are larger than 4/5 ICR in standard capacity and have replaced 22 on Cork services. Given it was Easter its hardly a good guage of demand however some of the capacity planning was appalling last Tueaday for some services. Prehaps Tralee or Limerick needs to operate directly when both connect with Cork as what happened wth the 10.20 and preferably an ICR. Last edited by Jamie2k9 : 11-04-2015 at 12:04.

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11-02-2015, 13:30	#2
Jamie2k9 Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,146	If the 2900 are increased from 4 to 8 coaches they could cope well.

11-02-2015, 13:36	#3
ThomasJ Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Clonsilla Posts: 2,812	but have they the stock to do that? would they have sufficent number of both them (and 22ks tto ensure they dont need them on intercity line) to run 8 coaches on the line without the need of a timetable to make this possible?

11-02-2015, 14:41	#5
James Howard Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sligo Line Posts: 1,115	There is some much stock lying idle at the moment that there would be no real issue in coping with massive increases in numbers. Restoring more Mk4s to service would allow use of the 22ks on outer commuter services to Longford and Dundalk. Obviously if numbers were to jump by that much, there would be revenue to bring back mothballed stock of which there is no shortage. However, no doubt Irish Rail will have the cap out complaining to the government about the need to replace 15 or 20 year old trains because they are just too old an inefficient.

11-04-2015, 11:33	#7
ACustomer Really Regular Poster Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 767	Recently I have seen reports of 2600 or 2800 railcars being used from Limerick Junction to Dublin because the connecting Cork trains were unable to cope with the numbers. So much for the wisdom of substituting 4-car ICRs for Mark 4s on the Cork route. Furthermore several Mark 4s observed recently have only a DVT + 6 carriages. I wonder at IEs ability cope cope with existing numbers, never mind any growth in demand.

12-04-2015, 10:12	#9
Inniskeen Really Regular Poster Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 951	Whether Cork trains are overcrowded or not is generally determined by traffic to from the Kerry road. In previous years there were far more through trains from Dublin, especially at holiday times.