Private Companies Express Interest in Running Threatened Rail Service
July 23rd 2010
The Rosslare to Waterford rail line is attracting attention from private companies willing to run the service on a commercial basis if the National Transport Authority gives Irish Rail permission to close the line.
Tanya Fenelon, Chair of the Save the Rail Group and Mark Gleeson, Spokesperson for Rail Users Ireland, have already met with a company which has a significant track record in the rail industry.
The initial meeting with the company was very productive and may lead to a private investment to operate the line on a commercial basis, providing a service which caters for the needs of the traveling public. The company is interested in running a low-cost, frequent rail service as well as being willing to facilitate light freight. The trains would also be fully accessible for disabled passengers.
The company has also given assurances that they are willing to re-employ staff already working on the line.
'These companies want to run a decent service which Irish Rail seems to be unwilling to provide. They see the potential that Irish Rail seems blind to' said Tanya Fenelon.
Recent surveys have shown that there is a market for more frequent services on the rail line. At present there are only two services per day; one to Waterford in the morning and one returning to Rosslare Europort in the evening.
'The present timetable caters for very few passengers,' said Tanya Fenelon, 'the fact that the train leaves Waterford at twenty past five in the evening means that it doesn't fit in with the normal working day. Apart from commuters, many more people would use the line if the times were more logical and if connections to the wider rail network were facilitated.'
Mark Gleeson of Rail Users Ireland said, 'I was delighted to meet with a company which is willing to engage with interested parties to develop a frequent rail service between Waterford and South Wexford. Despite the denials of Irish Rail management, it is clear that this route has a future.'
The meeting was one of a series to be held with other interested parties over the coming weeks.
For further information please contact:
- Save The Rail Group - Tanya Fenelon 085 2722445 http://savetherail.org/
- Rail Users Ireland - Mark Gleeson 086 8642583 http://www.railusers.ie/
Submissions Made to the National Transport Authority
- Submission by Rail Users Ireland http://www.railusers.ie/resources/nta_rosslare_waterford.php
- Submission by Save the Rail Group http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=367387502018&topic=15710