Phoenix Park Tunnel
November 21st 2016
Rail Users Ireland today welcomes restoration of commuter rail services through the Phoenix Park Tunnel after a gap of more than 100 years.
This new direct service will run from County Kildare and West Dublin to Drumcondra, Dublin Connolly, Tara Street, Dublin Pearse and Grand Canal Dock. This will also result in an increase in frequency of service between the city centre and Drumcondra. Connections at Drumcondra are available for DCU, the Mater Hospital, Dublin Airport and the north city and county of Dublin - opening new, more direct, public transport options.
A journey which previously required one or even two changes is now direct, providing commuters with a shorter, more reliable and in many cases cheaper commute.
Rail Users Ireland was founded in 2003 with its first goal to seek the reinstatement of commuter services through the Phoenix Park Tunnel. Over the last 13 years Rail Users Ireland has been faced with repeated denials, refusals and false starts from Irish Rail, including the classic excuse that trains were too wide for the Phoenix Park Tunnel, despite the fact the exact same trains routinely passed through the tunnel when being moved for maintenance.
Mark Gleeson Spokesperson, said “Today’s restoration of passenger rail services through the Phoenix Park Tunnel is a key part in the jigsaw to provide Dublin with a proper integrated transport system, not just a collection of disparate routes. We look forward to the opening of Luas Cross City in 2017 to create a properly joined-up railway network for Dublin and Ireland.”
Rail Users Ireland, acknowledges the initiative of the National Transport Authority in providing rail services through Phoenix Park Tunnel. We note that without the intervention of the National Transport Authority, Irish Rail would have continued to refuse to consider the introduction of such services.
Note to editors:At this time, services though the Phoenix Park Tunnel will NOT serve Dublin Heuston.