Slower Train Coming

Get on that bus, Gus…

atest press release from Derek Mitchell, issued on Tuesday, September 10th 2024…

The new rail timetable of 26th August was launched with much publicity.

It does have extra trains stopping at Kilcoole, However comparing it to previous timetables shows a continuous slowdown in spite of much investment.

It’s now 15% slower than 2004. Having campaigned for decades for better transport this is very disappointing.

Also Irish Rails plans to improve the service south of Greystones are very vague.

Minutes from Greystones to Connolly Station:

⦿ From 26th August 2024 61mins (8 minutes/15% slower)

⦿ Before 26th August 2024 58mins

⦿ 2004 DART Timetable 53mins

Careful planning is needed to provide a good service on a single line track.

The Wicklow line is the only single track in the Greater Dublin Area and needs a proper plan.

And now, Irish Rail is introducing a third timetable in a year on Monday 16th September. The timetable has deleted 5 Greystones Northbound DARTs including a rush hour one at 08.21. There are many 1-hour gaps, destroying the previous regular 30 minute schedule. This regular aspect was important in getting people out of cars.

This is a serious disruption and made in a very casual way.

A new Minister for Transport is needed to sort out Irish Rail…