UNHAPPY RAIL USERS GET ORGANISED
By NIAMH O’DONOGHUE
A NEW rail users group has been formed to take action on the ongoing difficulties which have plagued commuters for years in Newbridge.
Over 50 people turned out for the formation of the Newbridge Rail Group (NRG) at the Keadeen last Thursday (February 2) night. One of the founder members, Regina Heavey stressed the group is fully intent on pursuing its goals.
“We’ve had a great response. We had great feedback when we handed out the leaflets about the meeting and everybody is one hundred and ten per cent behind us. I know people tried to get a group up and running before, but the commuters themselves were not willing to get involved and it will only be successful if they are the driving force behind it, but this time is different,” she explained.
A committee of 10 people have been appointed. They took note of the issues raised at last week’s meeting and are compiling a series of questions for Iarnrod Eireann. They are going to forward them to the company’s officials and invite them down to a public meeting where they can deal with the matters of concern.
“One of the main problems is station services at Hueston and in Newbridge and car parking in Newbridge is also a major issue. People are also concerned about the punctuality and reliability of the trains – sometimes they might turn up and sometimes they don’t. You are not informed of what is going on – it’s the lack of communication,” she added.
Cllr. Fiona O’Loughlin chaired the meeting. “It’s important this group is driven by commuters themselves because they experience the problems every day,” she said.
She praised James Lawlor from the Sallins/Naas Rail Group and Derek Wheeler from Platform 11, the national rail users group, for attending the meeting and sharing their expertise.
“It’s important that we are an integrated group, that we are able to link with the Naas/Sallins group and Platform 11 and the new group that is being set up in Kildare town,” she added.
Iarnrod Eireann had requested to attend the meeting but the group felt they wanted to get all the views of the community before approaching them.
A number of older people also aired their grievances in relation to certain services. When they want to travel down the country they often have to go to Dublin, Portlaoise or Kildare to get connecting trains even though the same service is passing through Newbridge but doesn’t stop.
A new Internet page has also been set up for rail users and can be accessed through the Platform 11 site or on
www.platform11.org/NRG/