Oranmore train station

yer man!

Last thing I heard on this was planning being granted and the project going to tender. Surely it doesn't take this long to find a contractor to do the job, does it?

Captain Darling

Last i heard it should be buily by the end of the year, early new year.

KevR

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oranmore_railway_station&action=history

Wikipedia wrote:

t is speculated that the new station will remove as many as 65,000 cars from the roads into Galway each day, this being the amount of cars that travel from Oranmore to Galway each day, according to Noel Grealish TD.

:pac: and :rolleyes:

KevR

I know this is old but...

http://www.galwaynews.ie/6124-oranmore-train-station-could-remove-65-thousand-commuters

Galway News wrote:

ORANMORE TRAIN STATION COULD REMOVE 65 THOUSAND COMMUTERS

January 7, 2009 - 12:36pm 65 thousand commuters could be taken off Galway roads if plans progress for a new railway station in Oranmore.


Galway County Council has located a site in Gurraun for the proposed stopover on the Athenry to Galway commuter rail service.


According to Galway West TD Noel Grealish, approximately 65 thousand vehicles travel on the N6, the Oranmore Coast Road and the R339 from Carnmore into Galway city each day.


Proposals for a new railway station at Oranmore have been in the pipeline for years and it's now hoped that the project can be moved forward.


Deputy Grealish says that letters have been sent to the Department of Transport and CIE.

Shocking journalism! They totally misinterpreted what Grealish was saying and then they demonstrated a complete lack of knowledge about the topic.

There are 95,000 vehicles per day on all the Eastern approach routes combined. So 65,000 vehicles per day could be right for the approach roads in the Oranmore area. However, it is 32,500 x 2 (in and out); it is not 65,000 x 2.

But even saying "32,500 commuters could be taken off Galway roads when Oranmore station is built" is totally crazy.
Capacity: only 6 trains each way will stop at Oranmore so that would work out 5,416 people on every train!!There are only going to be 100 parking spaces at the station.
The train is not going to suit many people (destination, timetable/frequency, cost).

yer man!

Would it really have been difficult for them to built this near the old station where it could serve the industrial estate, pedestrians the motorway and dual carriageway better? I remember saying it was due to too much traffic on the Claregalway road. That road is perfectly fine for a station as far as i can see.

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.279082,-8.925042&spn=0.001921,0.005681&t=f&z=18&ecpose=53.27908217,-8.92504227,471.78,-14.103,0,0

Ugh I suppose we'll be lucky if anything actually gets built.

Head The Wall

These guys will see no consequences to any failed projects so they don't give a damn if its the best option or not as they'll just blame "insert random excuse"

yer man!

It got a good few objections in the garraun south location as it would give very little benefit to pedestrians and very little incentive over taking the bus in as you'd have to walk a fairly long way from the village. So many people wanted it located behind the city limits complex where there is ample space on irishrail owned land and provision for a passing loop if needed. The council had objected to plans for a park and ride going there a few years ago on 3 occasions and objected to a train station there because of the level crossing and "too many passing cars" on the road adjacent. Jesus christ that's actually something would allow a station here to prosper but nooooooooo! instead we'll put it in a place where it'll benefit the least amount of people...... are Galway planners actually soft in the head?

Head The Wall

Yes, the same madness afflicts them as Irish Rail

Mrs OBumble

yer man! wrote: »

... objected to a train station there because of the level crossing ... that's actually something would allow a station here to prosper but nooooooooo!

In fairness, because the crossing is so close to that land, the gates would probably have to stay down the entire time that a train was in the station. I think I've seen a bit of giving out due to similar things in some Dublin stations.

hoff1

any updates?

otterj

Heard it was supposed to be opening in october?

yer man!

God knows when they'll actually start this. The land is still being used for grazing by the farmer. I think the site notice was taken away a while ago too.

yer man!

Anyone have any news on this station? Leo varadkar mentioned that it is to be built on prime time yesterday and there's funding for it. Seems to be taking a ridiculous amount of time to find a tender....

http://www.nuachtchlair.com/oranmore-train-station-to-stay-on-track/

antoobrien

yer man! wrote: »

Anyone have any news on this station? Leo varadkar mentioned that it is to be built on prime time yesterday and there's funding for it. Seems to be taking a ridiculous amount of time to find a tender....

http://www.nuachtchlair.com/oranmore-train-station-to-stay-on-track/

Tenders take a long time, they're usually open 6 weeks or more and can take several weeks/months to come to decisions, depending on various factors (e.g. no. applications, funding etc).

Anyhow to the news - according to the galwayindo

Plans for new train stations for Oranmore and Crusheen are still on track, with construction set to begin later in the year.

While doubts had been raised over the future of the stations on the Western Rail Corridor, a spokesperson for the Department of Transport confirmed this week that funding was still in place for the project under the Exchequer Capital Investment Framework 2012-2016.


Iarnród Éireann has now assumed responsibility for the two projects and with planning permission granted for both new stations, construction is expected to begin in Oranmore later this year.

fissureseal

antoobrien wrote: »

yer man! wrote: »

Anyone have any news on this station? Leo varadkar mentioned that it is to be built on prime time yesterday and there's funding for it. Seems to be taking a ridiculous amount of time to find a tender....

http://www.nuachtchlair.com/oranmore-train-station-to-stay-on-track/

Tenders take a long time, they're usually open 6 weeks or more and can take several weeks/months to come to decisions, depending on various factors (e.g. no. applications, funding etc).

Anyhow to the news - according to the galwayindo

Plans for new train stations for Oranmore and Crusheen are still on track, with construction set to begin later in the year.

While doubts had been raised over the future of the stations on the Western Rail Corridor, a spokesperson for the Department of Transport confirmed this week that funding was still in place for the project under the Exchequer Capital Investment Framework 2012-2016.


Iarnród Éireann has now assumed responsibility for the two projects and with planning permission granted for both new stations, construction is expected to begin in Oranmore later this year.

I see on the advertiser that fencing off of the area for the train station is supposed to start soon , wonder does this mean that finally a sod will be turned on the project or is it yet another false dawn??

Wompa1

Once the train service is put in place, how will commuters get out to the likes of Ballybrit, Parkmore, NUIG, GMIT and Dangan?

The current bus service isn't good enough....

antoobrien

Wompa1 wrote: »

Once the train service is put in place, how will commuters get out to the likes of Ballybrit, Parkmore, NUIG, GMIT and Dangan?

The current bus service isn't good enough....

The bus to Parkmore (which covers parts of Ballybiry & GMIT) is probably the best one in Galway. Not saying much is it.

TheCosmicFrog

Nah guys, it's already open. See? Proof, Internet-style:



...how embarrassing for you not to know that :rolleyes:

Poxyshamrock

And the fact that the station is further away from Oranmore than the original station doesn't inspire much confidence.

yer man!

Well, there seems to be some activity on the site now, some diggers and fencing equipment, could it be that a train station is actually going to be built......?

Lapin

Most of the groundwork is done and the platform is in place.

Its a good bit further out from Oranmore than I initially thought it would be.

kippy

It's nothing short of a joke to be honest.
Whoever is responsible for it needs to be asked some serious questions as to why its nowhere near the village.

It's akin to Ryanair saying their airport is in "paris".

kraggy

Is it the site on the left as you go out the coast road before Oranmore?

They'll want to make fares competitive as it's so close to town so savings on petrol will be minimal.

Redhairedguy

Yep. It's a good 15 minutes walk from the Orantown Centre. A little far out for the majority of commuters, in my opinion.

what_traffic

Redhairedguy wrote: »

Yep. It's a good 15 minutes walk from the Orantown Centre. A little far out for the majority of commuters, in my opinion.

True - its probably more suitable for bikes and car's rather than pedestrians.

Seaneh

Redhairedguy wrote: »

Yep. It's a good 15 minutes walk from the Orantown Centre. A little far out for the majority of commuters, in my opinion.

Wouldn't the idea be that people from the area could drive to the station, park and ride into town, in fairness?

Most train stations in Ireland are about 10-15 minutes walk from the town centre anyway.

yer man!

The council got a grant to have cycle lanes from the station to the centre of the village so that's something...

Padkir

Seaneh wrote: »

Wouldn't the idea be that people from the area could drive to the station, park and ride into town, in fairness?

Most train stations in Ireland are about 10-15 minutes walk from the town centre anyway.

I would have though that too. I just hope they have the sense to have a proper sized car park there!

finlma

What will they charge for parking for the day though? Presume it will be at least €5 and the return fare will probably be in excess of €6. It will be cheaper to drive into town and pay for parking.

antoobrien

finlma wrote: »

What will they charge for parking for the day though? Presume it will be at least €5 and the return fare will probably be in excess of €6. It will be cheaper to drive into town and pay for parking.

If it's operated under the parkbytext scheme it will be €2 per day.

the keen edge

Seaneh wrote: »

Wouldn't the idea be that people from the area could drive to the station, park and ride into town, in fairness?

Most train stations in Ireland are about 10-15 minutes walk from the town centre anyway.

I may stand corrected for Oranmore station but I used occasionally get the train from Ardrahan and you have to pay for car parking at the stations.


To whoever in Irish Rail thought that one up, you're an idiot.

antoobrien

the keen edge wrote: »

I may stand corrected for Oranmore station but I used occasionally get the train from Ardrahan and you have to pay for car parking at the stations.

In fairness that was to stop people using the car parks as a free alternative to paying for parking closer to work/shopping. You'd want to see the difference it made to stations like clontarf - where you couldn't get a spot before 8am - when it was introduced.

There were downsides though, the car park in killester is empty and the surrounding roads and estates (where it's legal to park) are crammed.

the keen edge wrote: »

To whoever in Irish Rail thought that one up, you're an idiot.

Making the car park users pay for their upkeep is a standard business practice - besides it would be paid for otherwise in fares or subvention.

yer man!

the keen edge wrote: »

I may stand corrected for Oranmore station but I used occasionally get the train from Ardrahan and you have to pay for car parking at the stations.


To whoever in Irish Rail thought that one up, you're an idiot.

Didn't they recently change that to free parking for all stations on the ennis - athenry section now? could be wrong but I remember hearing about it on the radio.

kippy

antoobrien wrote: »

In fairness that was to stop people using the car parks as a free alternative to paying for parking closer to work/shopping. You'd want to see the difference it made to stations like clontarf - where you couldn't get a spot before 8am - when it was introduced.

There were downsides though, the car park in killester is empty and the surrounding roads and estates (where it's legal to park) are crammed.



Making the car park users pay for their upkeep is a standard business practice - besides it would be paid for otherwise in fares or subvention.

What incentive has the end user got to use the train service from Oranmore?
Sorry, that shouldn't be seen as a general comment at you.

antoobrien

kippy wrote: »

What incentive has the end user got to use the train service from Oranmore?
Sorry, that shouldn't be seen as a general comment at you.

It depends on what stops there. To me the car parking is a bit of a red herring tbh, it's all about what services the station offers.

I don't think the commuting services will keep be enough as there's it's only useful if one works in the center of the city and the timetable suits. It's f**k all use to the factories in Parkmore & Ballybrit.

The only way I can see it being viable is if the intercity trains stop there, there are a lot in the Oranmore area that go to Athenry rather than Galway to get the train. There are also a fair few that (used to when I got it) get on the last train at Athenry and go to Galway for a night out.

Robbo

antoobrien wrote: »

The only way I can see it being viable is if the intercity trains stop there, there are a lot in the Oranmore area that go to Athenry rather than Galway to get the train. There are also a fair few that (used to when I got it) get on the last train at Athenry and go to Galway for a night out.

Should ensure that Fidelma isn't quite so pushed for time when using the ticket vending machines.

the keen edge

antoobrien wrote: »

In fairness that was to stop people using the car parks as a free alternative to paying for parking closer to work/shopping. You'd want to see the difference it made to stations like clontarf - where you couldn't get a spot before 8am - when it was introduced.

There were downsides though, the car park in killester is empty and the surrounding roads and estates (where it's legal to park) are crammed.



Making the car park users pay for their upkeep is a standard business practice - besides it would be paid for otherwise in fares or subvention.

Come on have you seen where the stations at Oranmore and Ardrahan are located?
Your point is valid where stations are located in urban areas but not where I'm posting about.

The situation in Ardrahan is especially baffling.
Ardrahan train station is located about 1 mile down a minor road from a small country village 15 miles outside the countrys third/ forth city.
There are about 50 carparking spaces there, and I have never seen more than a single car parked there.

At the start of the year I decided that I would buy a monthly ticket, it just about came in under, or matched, my own transport cost. I forget the exact price but it was over €100.
Anyway just before I was intending to buy the ticket I decided to check out the craic with the parking, and yes you must pay everyday so that just tipped the balance against use the train cost wise.

I was a pissed off at this so I decided to put a call in to IR customer services and what a waste of time that was.
The IR representative that I spoke with didn't seem to understand the whole ridiculousness of trying to promote a transport service that requires that you pay an additional charge to use a carpark in a desolate, windswept middle of nowhere location.

She actually told me it would be a waste of time to email them with a complaint and instead kept repeatedly offering me the number of NCCP the carpark management company to take it up with them! How absurd would that phone have been?
My monthly fare and the fares of many others who have been put off using the train service due to the car parking charges would have been a much more valuable revenue stream than whatever NCCP pay IR.

If you haven't been to these rural stations they'd be worth of visit to help understand my vexation.
The facts are that this charge is off putting for people considering using the service.
In addition NCCP cant be making a cent there.
Did NCCP have paid to get the commission there? They cant of paid that much. Regardless if they did they wont pay to much for the privilege when the contract is set for renewal next time round, so it wont be a big revenue generator for IR then.
This charge is ruining the attractiveness of what they should be selling: seats on the train; and not car parking spaces.

yer man! wrote: »

Didn't they recently change that to free parking for all stations on the ennis - athenry section now? could be wrong but I remember hearing about it on the radio.

There was throughout December '12 and maybe even prior to that and it should have been extending.

antoobrien

the keen edge wrote: »

Come on have you seen where the stations at Oranmore and Ardrahan are located?

It's a national policy, I didn't say it fits all locations.

kippy

antoobrien wrote: »

It depends on what stops there. To me the car parking is a bit of a red herring tbh, it's all about what services the station offers.

I don't think the commuting services will keep be enough as there's it's only useful if one works in the center of the city and the timetable suits. It's f**k all use to the factories in Parkmore & Ballybrit.

The only way I can see it being viable is if the intercity trains stop there, there are a lot in the Oranmore area that go to Athenry rather than Galway to get the train. There are also a fair few that (used to when I got it) get on the last train at Athenry and go to Galway for a night out.

One would wonder what the point of the station is?
In reality anyone coming in from Oranmore will have hopped in a car to get to the station, why not carry on a continue driving into town?

Intercity trains stopping 5 minutes from their first/last stop? I hope not. So much for direct services.


The whole thing is pointless and ill thought out in the format it has ended up in I would argue, like much of the transport "infrastructure" in this city.....unfortunately.....

KevR

Location could not be more wrong in my opinion. It should be across the road from the Oranmore Business Park (which would also be a lot closer to the M6 and N18 for P&R).

There aren't that many parking spaces either. There is only one platform and no passing loop. Serious lack of ambition. It's a real half-hearted attempt at building a commuter railway station.

When you consider, Athenry train station holds its own. Athenry and Oranmore have similar populations. Oranmore should be much more attractive than Athenry for commuter rail given the major commuter roads which pass through. East/West roads (i.e. - towards and away from the City), you have the R338, R446, M6 and R339 all within a short distance of Oranmore. That's 12 lanes (East/West). I believe the combined traffic count for these roads is in excess of 65,000 vehicles per day.

antoobrien made the point that many people are not going to the City Centre and are instead going to the Industrial Estates on the outskirts. That's fair enough but there are still plenty of people heading into town and, as I said, Athenry holds its own in terms of rail.

the keen edge

antoobrien wrote: »

It's a national policy, I didn't say it fits all locations.

Yeah, that's why I prefaced my speel at the very start with the comment Your point is valid where stations are located in urban areas but not where I'm posting about.

Anyway the whole car parking and the siting of the Oranmore station are silly.
Who makes these decisions for them? Are their project planners not allowed to come up with useful, workable, real world solutions due to some bizarre political reasons or something?

Without doubt many of the posters(yourself included anto) here and on the infrastructure forums would definitely seem to have a better understanding of the various issues associated with these projects.

antoobrien

the keen edge wrote: »

Yeah, that's why I prefaced my speel at the very start with the comment Your point is valid where stations are located in urban areas but not where I'm posting about.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing with you, there are silly situations around the country because of it. The point I was trying to make is that the examples given explain why the charges were brought in.

Lapin

Padkir wrote: »

I would have though that too. I just hope they have the sense to have a proper sized car park there!

120 parking spaces according to the current issue of 'Go Rail'.

kippy wrote: »

One would wonder what the point of the station is?
In reality anyone coming in from Oranmore will have hopped in a car to get to the station, why not carry on a continue driving into town?

Intercity trains stopping 5 minutes from their first/last stop? I hope not. So much for direct services.


The whole thing is pointless and ill thought out in the format it has ended up in I would argue, like much of the transport "infrastructure" in this city.....unfortunately.....

I agree with much of this.

However the station won't just cater for commuters from Oranmore. It will also serve a wider hinterland drawing passengers from Clarinbridge, Carnmore and Claregalway.

While this is handy for commuters travelling into the city, it is utterly useless for those working in the industrial areas of Parkmore and Ballybrit.

As a stand alone entity the station is a waste of time. There needs to be a connecting bus service to the factories running in tandem with the train timetable for passengers on the Limerick line and those using the commuter services from Athlone.

If such a service is put in place, it would save a considerable amount of time for factory employees travelling to work from places like Gort and Ballinasloe and may attract more people to use the station. The current set up where people have to travel into Eyre Square and backtrack out to Boston Scientific, Medtronic etc is cumbersome and puts people off using the train.

Regarding inter city services. I also agree that it would be annoying for passengers having an extra stop within 5 minutes of leaving Galway.
However I would advocate an early morning Dublin bound service and evening return train stopping there to facilitate those in Oranmore and surrounding areas (including large parts of the east of the city) travelling to the capital.

This would also ease congestion in Ceannt Station, meaning less queues for people there.

Private Joker

Where would you put the station? If it was up at the oranmore business park where the railway crossing is at the moment, pedestrians would have to cross 4 lanes of traffic and the distance between it and the current location are relatively similar, and with a cycle lane linking it to town , it would make the current location more desirable.

It probably would have made more sense to have a park and ride instead of the rail link , this would have meant less constraint on its location and there is a bus lane the whole way into monenageesha .

yer man!

I live in Oranmore and I intend on using it as you're allowed bring a bicycle on board for free which would really be useful for me going into town. I emailed Irishrail about it a while back and they confirmed that they will be allowing bicycles on board for free from Oranmore.

kippy

yer man! wrote: »

I live in Oranmore and I intend on using it as you're allowed bring a bicycle on board for free which would really be useful for me going into town. I emailed Irishrail about it a while back and they confirmed that they will be allowing bicycles on board for free from Oranmore.

You'll be using it if the times suit - that has yet to be determined.

I wonder how many bikes will they "let on board"?

kippy

Private Joker wrote: »

Where would you put the station? If it was up at the oranmore business park where the railway crossing is at the moment, pedestrians would have to cross 4 lanes of traffic and the distance between it and the current location are relatively similar, and with a cycle lane linking it to town , it would make the current location more desirable.

It probably would have made more sense to have a park and ride instead of the rail link , this would have meant less constraint on its location and there is a bus lane the whole way into monenageesha .

Park and rides, in my opinion, are probably the best option of all if implemented correctly.
It's great to see that there is at least use being made of the airport now.

I would think however that it might be a good idea to make SOME of the park and ride buses do the rounds of the industrial estates, parkmore / ballybrit etc as well as head straight for town. Not sure if they do this or not but would probably get more cars off the roads.
I just feel more can be done with park and ride as an option, as opposed to the very static and immovable rail options.

Private Joker

kippy wrote: »

You'll be using it if the times suit - that has yet to be determined.

I wonder how many bikes will they "let on board"?

Judging by the reaction to it here, there'll be plenty of room

the original plan was to have a link from the dual carriageway to the new station. also the opening date for the station has been set for the 22nd of july.

kippy

Private Joker wrote: »

Judging by the reaction to it here, there'll be plenty of room

True.
The times will be another matter.

Lapin

yer man! wrote: »

I live in Oranmore and I intend on using it as you're allowed bring a bicycle on board for free which would really be useful for me going into town. I emailed Irishrail about it a while back and they confirmed that they will be allowing bicycles on board for free from Oranmore.

Did they tell you how many bikes they will carry when they got back to you?

The fact that they allow bikes on trains is welcome but if there is a first come first serve limit to the amount permitted on board it could defeat the purpose.

The service from Oranmore is an excellent opportunity to provide cycling and rail travel into town.

All inter city trains have spaces for at least 2 bikes but commuter trains (in the Dublin area) only accommodate bikes during off peak times. Perhaps this will be different on the quieter Oranmore service.

Irish Rail's own bicycle policy policy prohibits bikes from obstructing exits or passageways and I imagine this will be enforced between Oranmore and Galway for health and safety reasons even though there are no intermediate stops between both stations.

Hopefully, with some foresight Irish Rail will address their charter for the provision of bikes before the station opens so that everyone knows where they stand.

It would be farcical it people turned up with their bikes only to be told they can't bring them with them when Irish Rail emailed people to tell them they could.

kippy

Lapin wrote: »

Did they tell you how many bikes they will carry when they got back to you?

The fact that they allow bikes on trains is welcome but if there is a first come first serve limit to the amount permitted on board it could defeat the purpose.

The service from Oranmore is an excellent opportunity to provide cycling and rail travel into town.

All inter city trains have spaces for at least 2 bikes but commuter trains (in the Dublin area) only accommodate bikes during off peak times. Perhaps this will be different on the quieter Oranmore service.

Irish Rail's own bicycle policy policy prohibits bikes from obstructing exits or passageways and I imagine this will be enforced between Oranmore and Galway for health and safety reasons even though there are no intermediate stops between both stations.

Hopefully, with some foresight Irish Rail will address their charter for the provision of bikes before the station opens so that everyone knows where they stand.

It would be farcical it people turned up with their bikes only to be told they can't bring them with them when Irish Rail emailed people to tell them they could.

Thanks for that post, I knew the trains didnt generally carry a "lot" of bike for various reasons but I didn't know those reasons.