Iarnrod Eireann Happy Train Traffic Nearly 40% Down

Before i talk about the subject at hand, i need to remind non-rail posters here about the context of some of the more sychophantic posters here and elsewhere who have blithely ignored pretty much all logical criticisms of the WRC project since it first appeared on the public agenda. These posters, some here on boards, some elsewhere, appear congenitally incapable of seperating cold hard common sense and rationality from an overwhelming desire to see the WRC being built, partly out of their inner trainspotter, partly out of naive parochial sentiment, but seemingly, sadly, never out of concern for value for money for the taxpayer.

Their response to the many valid criticisms of the WRC project - about low population densities on the line, the antiquated track layout, the folly of upgrading on the cheap a 19th Century line, the strength of an organised rural lobby group taking precedent over the CBA which predicted a best case scenario of a the annual subvention of the line being nearly 3m PA, the superior cost and time of alternative public and private transport options between Galway-Limerick - result in a general collective denial from pro-WRC supporters, as if these things aren't important in the great scheme of things. But that what is important is that the railway is open, feck the begrudgers and all that.

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That aside,

As it currently stands, the WRC is a financial blackhole, which will require larger subventions and see dwindling usage over the next few years as the other transport alternatives between the two cities demonstrate their supremacy. Already the deranged elements outlined above will push as the reason the numbers are so low is because of IE, and that only the re-opening of WRC phases 2 & 3 will suffice, this will have to be shouted down both online and in real life as this madness can't continue.

My 2 cents is an echoing of an idea mentioned in the WRC thread and elsewhere, that instead of spending cash on opening new minor stations or re-opening to Tuam, is instead to close the minor stations on the line, train IE drivers and make the requisite timetable alterations and staffing improvements to enable a Gal/Lim/Waterford cross-country express service come into operation. It might or might not make money, but it'll be a dam sight more useful then the way things currently stand.

Deleted User wrote: »

See what I mean? It's their little hobby-horse. They even have their own Facebook group.

I on the other hand, will be getting on with my life. As does everyone who doesn't have a hobby involving campaigning for/against the WRC. :rolleyes:

That facebook group has nothing to do with any anti-WRC campaign, so stop talking ****e. In fact your reference to it just looks like a very poor attempt to single out certain people (myself included).

Yes I was the first person to speak out against the WRC in the media way back in April 2004 and I was right. It is a failure. My only agenda was to prevent rail development being misrepresented and to see maximum investment/concentration in the existing network and commuter solutions. I didn't hide behind usernames and I openly invited WOT to debate the issue in public. (They declined) Furthermore I invited WOT to support commuter projects in the west of Ireland, like the reopening of Oranmore and they declined that as well. I note its now one of the "reasons" why the Ennis - Athenry section is not performing as well as expected.

Being right about the WRC (I am) and being critical of it in the media came at a very high price. Abusive phone calls at all hours of the day and night, my wife threatened with rape and some priest claiming that I was sabotaging the west of Ireland! My own personal experiences leave me feeling absolutely no generosity towards supporters of the WRC. It obviously attracted a lot of very unsavoury animals. So the last thing Im prepared to tolerate right now is some other anonymous WRC worshipper post a link to a facebook page in an attempt to draw me into a debate which has no place on this forum. That facebook page is about Irish Rail/CIE, while you Seaslacker are just trying to stir up ****.

You clearly have no life.

yer man! wrote: »

All i know is that the Oranmore station needs to be opened ASAP, planning is approved and it should start any week now. I know IF irishrail makes a combined parking + train ticket from oranmore to galway that's cheaper than the bus which is €5 return then it would work very well as this station will only be served by the WRC train from limerick. Obviously the timetabling would have to suit but Irishrail did mention how they were going to introduce a commuter service to make use of the oranmore station and athenry through to limerick more effectively. Also this line is getting two new 22000's soon which hopefully will increase the speed on it.

Sixmilebridge to Limerick is €11 for a day return or €14 for a monthly + parking fee so I wouldn't hold my breadth on Irish Rail offering a value for money fare that might attract passengers through Oranmore.

Indeed using 22000s would be a waste....in which case they will fit right in on the WRC!

Most projects wildly over-estimate the potential ridership anyway

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Interestingly, the IE projections (the initial ones at least) were questioned by Goodbodys as being potentially too low, in that population catchments were ignored (see page 4/5 of the doc below) and the figures were generally low-balled. In reality, neither IE nor the Dept had any interest in seeing this go ahead - it was clear from the outset to all concerned that this was just going to be a money sink. It only ever came about to assuage the political lobby in the west, led by the likes of the WRC, who complained about the disparity of infrastructure spend between the SE Region and the BMW region. This was a project that the then Govt could point to at every turn as evidence of their committment to 'balanced regional development'.

http://www.transport21.ie/Publications/upload/File/Reintro%20Ennis%20to%20Athenry.pdf

yer man! wrote: »

This line may rely heavily on the new oranmore station being opened and a commuter service starting between galway and athenry, serving oranmore too. I'm speculating that these trains will also be used to continue on down the corridor to try and fill it as much as possible. At present it takes 60 minutes to drive from oranmore to the galway train station at 8 o'clock in the morning, where the train would take 5-7mins. The bus takes a very long time too as there simply isn't space for enough bus corridors. Train is the fastest option. Plus Irishrail said they'll be allowing people to bring bicycles on board for free from oranmore and athenry which would be a huge advantage for many students like myself.

this point has been made before...the train is only a quicker option if you happen to be going where IT is going.