Gort Station Passenger Usage

Jim Martin

Does anyone know if there are any figures available anywhere. On the journeys I've recently made, only 1 or 2 passengers if any, have either got on or off the train.

For such a comparitively large centre of population on the Ennis - Athenry line, I'm puzzled! There must be something going seriously wrong here!

Victor

Its not a large centre of population. There are about 45 towns larger than it that don't have stations.

The stations that aren't listed below are:

• Dublin Suburban - the only ones you can really begrudge are Phoenix Park (paid for by developer) and Kilcoole (serves Kilcoole, Newtownmountkennedy, Newcastle and Kilpeddar)
• Cork Suburban
• Ballyborphy, Limerick Junction and Manulla Junction - all junctions
• Gormanston - station for Stamullen
• Rathdrum
• Rosslare Europort-Campile <

  ---

  most expected to close
• Collooney, Ballymote, Dromod, Edgeworthstown
• Banteer, Millstreet, Rathmore and Farranfore
• Cloughjordan, Birdhill, Castleconnell
• Craughwell, Ardrahan, Attymon, Woodlawn
• Foxford

Then there is the matter of the train taking 49 minutes when driving (congestion aside) takes about 37 minutes.

Greater Dublin Area 1,045,769
Cork City 190,384
Limerick City 90,757
Galway City 72,729
Waterford City 49,213
Drogheda 35,090
Dundalk 35,085
Swords 33,998 No station
Bray 31,901
Navan (An Uaimh) 24,851 No station
Ennis 24,253
Tralee 22,744
Kilkenny 22,179
Carlow 20,724
Naas 20,044 Nearby station - Sallins & Naas
Sligo 19,402
Droichead Nua 18,520
Mullingar 18,416
Wexford 18,163
Letterkenny 17,586 No station
Athlone 17,544
Celbridge 17,262 Nearby station - Hazelhatch & Celbridge
Clonmel 17,008
Balbriggan 15,559
Malahide 14,937
Leixlip 14,676
Portlaoighise 14,613
Killarney 14,603
Greystones 14,569
Tullamore 12,927
Carrigaline 12,835 No station
Castlebar 11,891
Arklow 11,759
Cobh 11,303
Maynooth 10,715
Ballina 10,409
Mallow 10,241
Wicklow 10,070
Midleton 10,048
Tramore 9,634 No station
Enniscorthy 9,538
Skerries 9,535
Shannon 9,222 No station
Portmarnock 8,979 Nearby station - Portmarnock
Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington 8,978 Station at Laytown only
Longford 8,836
Ashbourne 8,528 No station
Dungarvan 8,362 No station
Rush 8,286 Nearby station - Rush & Lusk
Athy 8,218
Cavan 7,883 No station
Nenagh 7,751
New Ross 7,709 No station
Thurles 7,682
Kildare 7,538
Ratoath 7,249 No station
Gorey 7,193
Tuam 6,885 No station
Trim 6,870 No station
Youghal 6,785 No station
Monaghan 6,710 No station
Ballinasloe 6,303
Portarlington 6,004
Buncrana 5,911 No station
Carrick-on-Suir 5,906
Edenderry 5,888 No station
Fermoy 5,873 No station
Bandon 5,822 No station
Dunboyne 5,713 No station
Donabate 5,499
Westport 5,475
Ceannanus Mór 5,248 No station
Lusk 5,236 Nearby station - Rush & Lusk
Passage West 5,203 No station
Newcastle West 5,098 No station
Birr 5,081 No station
Tipperary 5,065
Roscommon 5,017
Clane 4,968 No station
Roscrea 4,910
Ardee 4,694 No station
Loughrea 4,532 No station
Carrickmacross 4,387 No station
Listowel 4,338 No station
Ballybofey-Stranorlar 4,176 No station
Clonakilty 4,154 No station
Kilcock 4,100
Kinsale 4,099 No station
Mountmellick 4,069 No station
Blessington 4,018 No station
Sallins 3,806
Kinsealy-Drinan 3,651 No station
Macroom 3,553 No station
Oranmore 3,513 No station
Dunshaughlin 3,384 No station
Cahir 3,381
Mitchelstown 3,365 No station
Bantry 3,309 No station
Kilcoole 3,252
Duleek 3,236 No station
Athenry 3,205
Carrick-on-Shannon 3,163
Castleblayney 3,124 No station
Tower 3,102 No station
Tullow 3,048 No station
Monasterevan 3,017
Clara 3,001
Kilcullen 2,985 No station
Rathluirc (or Charleville) 2,984
Cashel 2,936 No station
Rathcoole 2,927 No station
Carrigtwohill 2,782
Muinebeag 2,735
Gort 2,734 <

---

Gort
Kilrush 2,694 No station
Ballyshannon 2,686 No station
Claremorris 2,595
Newtownmountkennedy 2,548 No station
Boyle 2,522
Kill 2,510 No station
Stamullen 2,487 Nearby station - Gormanston
Blarney 2,400 No station
Templemore 2,384
Donegal 2,339 No station
Skibbereen 2,338 No station
Castleisland 2,300 No station
Kinnegad 2,245 No station
Athboy 2,213 No station
Enfield 2,161
Ballinrobe 2,098 No station
Bailieborough 1,966 No station
Bundoran 1,964 No station
Abbeyfeale 1,940 No station
Prosperous 1,939 No station
Carndonagh 1,923 No station
An Daingean 1,920 No station
Kanturk 1,915 No station
Cootehill 1,892 No station
Moate 1,888 No station
Enniskerry 1,881 No station
Castlerea 1,873
Bunclody-Carrickduff 1,863 No station
Ballina (North Tipperary) 1,861 No station
Rathnew 1,849 Nearby station - Wicklow
Annacotty 1,839 No station
Thomastown 1,837
Callan 1,771 No station
Clones 1,767 No station
Kingscourt 1,748 No station
Baltinglass 1,735 No station
Virginia 1,734 No station
Ballaghaderreen 1,720 No station
Rathangan 1,718 No station
Ballyhaunis 1,708
Kenmare 1,701 No station
Ballyjamesduff 1,690 No station
Crosshaven 1,669 No station
Sixmilebridge 1,659
Banagher 1,636 No station
Killorglin 1,627 No station
Castlebridge 1,624 No station
Abbeyleix 1,568 No station
Clogherhead 1,558 No station
Dunmore East 1,547 No station
Newmarket-on-Fergus 1,542 No station
Portrane 1,532 Nearby station - Donabate
Castlecomer-Donaguile 1,531 No station
Dunmanway 1,522 No station
Newcastle 1,506 Nearby station - Hazelhatch & Celbridge
Swinford 1,502 No station

westtip

Jim Martin wrote: »

Does anyone know if there are any figures available anywhere. On the journeys I've recently made, only 1 or 2 passengers if any, have either got on or off the train.

For such a comparitively large centre of population on the Ennis - Athenry line, I'm puzzled! There must be something going seriously wrong here!

Jim interesting observations after the optimism of the opening weeks are you saying no-one is using the new line from Gort? What is your travel direction- upto Galway or down to Limerick? Are you taking the train a few times a week or maybe once a fortnight or so? Business, pleasure or just curiosity? What time of day are you travelling and what's your final destination distance from train station? Do you drive to Gort station? and what do you think of the fare for the journey you are making? It would be interesting to get some comments from someone actually using the line.

Jim Martin

westtip wrote: »

Jim interesting observations after the optimism of the opening weeks are you saying no-one is using the new line from Gort? What is your travel direction- upto Galway or down to Limerick? Are you taking the train a few times a week or maybe once a fortnight or so? Business, pleasure or just curiosity? What time of day are you travelling and what's your final destination distance from train station? Do you drive to Gort station? and what do you think of the fare for the journey you are making? It would be interesting to get some comments from someone actually using the line.

I used the 12.34 from Ennis returning on the 17.25 ex Galway on both trips I made, the first on the 1st day of operation & The 2nd a couple of weeks ago on Thursday.

westtip

Jim Martin wrote: »

I used the 12.34 from Ennis returning on the 17.25 ex Galway on both trips I made, the first on the 1st day of operation & The 2nd a couple of weeks ago on Thursday.

Jim clearly you are not in the commuter bracket, or are you? Are you saying the light usage was on the train two weeks ago (well after the opening of the line) that you saw very few people on the 17.25 ex Galway getting off at Gort? Its very interesting to hear from someone actually using the line. I wouldn't be surprised if the midday trains are running near empty - but would be interested to know what's happening on the commuter targetted trains such as the 17.25 re data I suggest a letter to the IE is probably the best option they must be tracking numbers and under freedom of information I can't see it being top secret stuff.

Jim Martin

westtip wrote: »

Jim clearly you are not in the commuter bracket, or are you? Are you saying the light usage was on the train two weeks ago (well after the opening of the line) that you saw very few people on the 17.25 ex Galway getting off at Gort? Its very interesting to hear from someone actually using the line. I wouldn't be surprised if the midday trains are running near empty - but would be interested to know what's happening on the commuter targetted trains such as the 17.25 re data I suggest a letter to the IE is probably the best option they must be tracking numbers and under freedom of information I can't see it being top secret stuff.

Yes!

Jim Martin

Jim Martin wrote: »

Yes!

Sorry, 'yes' that I was on the 17.25 2 weeks ago (not 'yes' that I'm a regular commuter on the line)!

dowlingm

westtip - have you forgotten IE is not subject to FOI?

murphaph

Lol, they'd probably give this info out anyway: they never wanted to build this line in the first place. They knew it would result in some other lightly used line getting the chop (Waterford-Rosslare) if they had to subsidise it, and that's what's going to happen.

We've gone from one lighlty used line to another, and spent a few hundred million to get there, well done Noel! I hope WoT are satisfied though, they have their social justice.

westtip

murphaph wrote: »

Lol, they'd probably give this info out anyway: they never wanted to build this line in the first place. They knew it would result in some other lightly used line getting the chop (Waterford-Rosslare) if they had to subsidise it, and that's what's going to happen.

We've gone from one lighlty used line to another, and spent a few hundred million to get there, well done Noel! I hope WoT are satisfied though, they have their social justice.

Exactly. +1

WOT have changed the front page of their website with information about fares and train times etc, ie promoting the line. This to me suggests they're worried about the under use of the line already. I'd say they are worried about the DOT response to the general lack of interest from the public--- me thinks Athenry - Claremorris is for the chop in the cutbacks.

Powerhouse

Victor wrote: »

Then there is the matter of the train taking 49 minutes when driving (congestion aside) takes about 37 minutes.

I would be very surprised if 12 minutes extra is a significant element in a decision as to which mode of transport is used all other things being reasonably equal.

And frankly, when driving to Galway you cannot really leave congestion aside.

westtip

Powerhouse wrote: »

I would be very surprised if 12 minutes extra is a significant element in a decision as to which mode of transport is used all other things being reasonably equal.

And frankly, when driving to Galway you cannot really leave congestion aside.

Convenience and multi tasking will be the key issue: eg I need to go to Galway to say visit someone in hospital and whilst there I will pop in to some of the out of town stores at some retail park and by the way on the way home nip to Tesco and do a shop load oh and by the way none of this fits in with the timetable offered by IE, and the train does not go near the hospital or out of town stores. Our car centred life styles will make the choice for us. which is why the penny will drop in the very near future about the branch line from Claremorris to Galway via Athenry.

Judgement Day

westtip wrote: »

Exactly. +1

WOT have changed the front page of their website with information about fares and train times etc, ie promoting the line. This to me suggests they're worried about the under use of the line already. I'd say they are worried about the DOT response to the general lack of interest from the public--- me thinks Athenry - Claremorris is for the chop in the cutbacks.

In your dreams - Collooney Jn next stop - I need to travel the route in the Down direction as my inspection car trip in '81 was Collooney/Claremorris.

DWCommuter

Judgement Day wrote: »

In your dreams - Collooney Jn next stop - I need to travel the route in the Down direction as my inspection car trip in '81 was Collooney/Claremorris.

Can I go? Please please please!

I look forward to taking a walk along the lovely new cyclepath that will eventually be laid over it.

westtip

C'mon lads lets get back the proper thread for all our juvenile rantings. Oh sod it I have just split my ginger beer on my keyboard.

corktina

Powerhouse wrote: »

I would be very surprised if 12 minutes extra is a significant element in a decision as to which mode of transport is used all other things being reasonably equal.

And frankly, when driving to Galway you cannot really leave congestion aside.

ah but you must factor in that the car goes to where you want to be, from where you are; whereas you have to travel to the station to get your train and from the train to where you want to go so I'm afraid all other things are far from being equal.

rainbowdash

corktina wrote: »

ah but you must factor in that the car goes to where you want to be, from where you are; whereas you have to travel to the station to get your train and from the train to where you want to go so I'm afraid all other things are far from being equal.

Thats assuming you have a car of course.

Stonewolf

We're talking about the West of Ireland here. EVERYONE has a car, kids who haven't done their leaving cert and don't do a transition year have cars.

The population is so dispersed that cars are essential.

westtip

Stonewolf wrote: »

The population is so dispersed that cars are essential.

And commuter railway lines are not needed or at least are a massive luxury we cannot afford to serve such a small and dispersed population as we have in the west of ireland wth commuter rail lines..... Safe roads....well that is another story

westtip

OP or anyone whats the latest anecdotal evidence on passenger numbers on Gort Athenry.

Judgement Day

westtip wrote: »

OP or anyone whats the latest anecdotal evidence on passenger numbers on Gort Athenry.

Time you got on your bike and found out for yourself! Don't forget the ginger beer.

westtip

Nice one JD but I don't want to boost the passenger numbers falsely, if I go on the line it may skew them and double the numbers on the midday social just express!

I am hearing rumours that the northern section is looking a bit shaky in budget reviews.....and we could be looknig at 2014 for Tuam and TBA for Claremorris, all based on the cutback in more important road projects that they can't be seen to be doing the rail line and not doing the N17......departmental sources tell me....put the ginger beer on ice, me thinks.

Banbh

Living near Gort, I decided to try the train with the kids for a day's outing - either direction would do.
Iarnrod Eireann's website hasn't been updated as regards fares so there's no Gort listed for fares. I tried ringing 'information', stayed on hold for 10 minutes and then got a message that the office was now closed (11.15am Fri). So it's a nice car trip instead.

The word in the town is that the trains are empty.

Galway to Limerick requires three trains with transfers at Athenry and Ennis. There are no rail links to Shannon or Galway Airports.

Percy French could write a song about it.

foggy_lad

you should be able to get from gort to limerick on one train now unless the western rail corridor has collapsed?

Empire o de Sun

May be restoring old railway lines as they were is a problem.

maybe they should have built a direct rout from Gort to Galway.

Allignment is everything, and for lines to compete with busses and especially cars they need to be fast and comfortable.

Does anyone know what speeds are on this line?

Banbh

There's definitely a change at Ennis.
Anyone know what the fares are or where they can be found?

foggy_lad

Banbh wrote: »

There's definitely a change at Ennis.
Anyone know what the fares are or where they can be found?

http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Limerick%20Galway%2010.pdf

if you get one of the commuter railcars that service ennis from limerick or the galway-dublin train as far as athenry then you must change to continue your journey to either galway or limerick but there are 5 railcarts in each direction between galway and limerick with no changes necessary.

highlydebased

Banbh wrote: »

There's definitely a change at Ennis.
Anyone know what the fares are or where they can be found?

5 direct services. If you were to have travelled yesterday or day before there were two Galway-Ennis specials for the races and yes could have changed, but otherwise no. The only trains south of Athenry are Galway-Limk and vv, therefore no change is needed.




My impression seems to be there are a high number of Ennis-Gort journeys

Transportuser09

Banbh wrote: »

There's definitely a change at Ennis.

No the Galway-Limerick trains run throughout between the two cities. You only need to change at Athenry if you want to go to Dublin. No need to change at Ennis at all.

Transportuser09

Empire o de Sun wrote: »

May be restoring old railway lines as they were is a problem.

maybe they should have built a direct rout from Gort to Galway.

In an ideal world yes but the cost of a new route would be way higher than simply relaying a old one, which in this case had much of its infrastructure intact seen as maintainence trains traversed it within the last decade.