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[PR] Train service back on track after 40 years

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  • 31-07-2009 10:33am
    #1
    Cookie_Monster
    Registered Users Posts: 24,488 ✭✭✭✭


    Probably mentioned around here numerous times already but...

    http://www.independent.ie/national-news/train-service-back-on-track-after-40-years-1847664.html


    IARNROD Eireann yesterday turned the clock back to the glory era of Irish railways with the re-opening of their first major passenger line in almost 100 years.

    Transport Minister Noel Dempsey formally opened the €75m new Cork-Midleton line, which was closed almost 40 years ago, and travelled on the first departure yesterday from Kent Station.

    Hundreds gathered at both Cork's Kent Station and the newly built Midleton Station for the historic occasion -- and dozens had to be turned away as the inaugural service was filled to capacity.

    "This is a great day for public transport and for Iarnrod Eireann. It also marks a very important service for Cork," Mr Dempsey said.

    Benefits

    Iarnrod Eireann spokesman Barry Kenny said commuters stood to enjoy major benefits from the new link. "You are talking about a fast and frequent service -- every half-hour at peak times and every hour at off-peak. And it will only be 23 minutes into Kent Station in Cork and, as well being a commuter service, it will also connect into our InterCity services very well," he said.

    A total of 21 trains will now operate on the route daily. Work on the Cork-Midleton line began in February 2008 and track-laying operations concluded last February, while two new stations were developed at Carrigtwohill and Midleton.

    Major car parks were also constructed at both stations and it is hoped commuters will now opt to use the new rail link to get to work in Cork city, thereby easing traffic congestion.

    Passenger services are operating on the route for the first time since the late 1960s, when the line was restricted by CIE to freight-only operations. Freight operations themselves then ceased on the route in the late 1980s.

    Mr Dempsey hailed the re-opening of the service as historic and a key achievement under the Government's Transport 21 Strategy.

    East Cork business and tourism officials also welcomed the new line, saying it offered the area a desperately needed economic boost.


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