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Originally Posted by comcor
What we can do is put a number on the number of people who fly Cork-Belfast, which was 3,380 in March. That's on a route that's twice daily on weekdays and once daily on weekends, so it works out at around 68 people each way per day on weekdays.
That's not a great number and when you consider that the plane will be a lot faster and that the price will be similar, you wouldn't attract too many over.
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My brother does Cork-Belfast, sometimes train, sometimes plane. I think it would be useful if a through service operated (change drivers and ends at Connolly). Imagine Cobh-Derry/Antrim - you are talking 4 or 5 changes and all the premutations of problems and missed connections that can happen.
The other brother sometimes flies Cork-Dublin hires a car and drives to Dundalk, Craigavon, etc.
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Obviously, the advantage the train has is that it can also pick up in Mallow, Limerick Junction, Thurles or Port Laoise, none of which have an air service to Belfast. Similarly, it would offer a service from Cork to Drogheda and Dundalk.
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Cork-Drogheda wouldn't be a priority, although Cork-Drogheda with only one change would become possible. I think Cork-Limerick Junction-Portarlington (for Galway/Mayo)-Connolly (no Heuston)-Dundalk*-Newry*-Belfast keeps stops to a minimum while maximising connections.
* Possibly Newry only when Northbound and Dundalk only when Southbound, feeding of the local services.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson
The issue here is it would cause total confusion for someone going to say Thurles Cork Mallow etc, do I go to Connolly or Heuston where will I get a seat, you can get round that by calling in Heuston P10 which would in turn inconvenience anyone in Heuston
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You could have the CDB trains operate as extras, on top of existing services.
