Rail Passengers Welcome Ability To Bring Their Bikes
January 5th 2011
Rail Users Ireland today welcomes Irish Rail's significant expansion of carriage of bicycles on-board rail services following three years of lobbying and meetings with Irish Rail by Rail Users Ireland together with the members of the Dublin Cycling Campaign and representatives of cyclists in Galway and Westport under the umbrella of cyclist.ie.
Our lobbying to fit bicycle racks to all intercity trains and to introduce a booking system to ensure that cyclists, many on touring holidays could be assured their bike could be accommodated on their choice of train has been successful.
Mark Gleeson, spokesperson, Rail Users Ireland: "While todays announcement is most welcome and will make travelling by rail more attractive, concerns remain. The bicycle space is routinely full of luggage and signage is all but non existent making it difficult to locate the coach where the bicycles racks are." Despite repeated requests made by Rail Users Ireland to Irish Rail the signage remains extremely poor. This lack of signage results in delays boarding trains as stressed passengers desperately search for the bike rack.
Cyclists remain unhappy with the design of the bike rack fitted to the train, which while usable, could have been better designed and properly provided for had it been considered when the trains were designed. This highlights again the failure of Irish Rail to consult with passengers before purchasing new trains, unlike Northern Irish Railways.
Details
- All intercity trains nationwide two bikes spaces can be booked online at 6 euro per journey.
- All Dublin and Cork area commuter services between 10am-3:30pm, after 7pm Monday-Friday and all weekends will now carry bikes for free
- Complete details and Rail Users Ireland's guide http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_info/bikes.php