Train cancellations 18th June onwards

GM228

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

So with the 16.00 running to Mullingar will it position back to Connolly or wait until it can make it to Sligo the following day to form the 11.00.

It will return empty to Dublin, 11.00 set will piggyback on the 13.05.

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Somehow I don't think running to Mullingar was the desired outcome when they wanted to cut service.

It was insisted upon by the NTA.

Jamie2k9

GM228 wrote: »

It will return empty to Dublin, 11.00 set will piggyback on the 13.05.

It was insisted upon by the NTA.

So they are now running Dublin-Mullingar-Connolly in more less the same time it would have taken the 16.00 to operate Dublin-Sligo and also sending another set to Sligo to be placed for the 11.00.

Operating costs will rise because of this carry on, are Sligo that tight on drivers (assuming Mullingar switches to Connolly drivers for period) to run the 16.00 because this cancellation appears rather pointless.

thomasj

Surely this is going to take toll as well on finances?
http://www.irishrail.ie/popes-mass-phoenix-park-train-services

schemingbohemia

thomasj wrote: »

Surely this is going to take toll as well on finances?
http://www.irishrail.ie/popes-mass-phoenix-park-train-services

Like the way they've just given up all pretences of enforcing seat bookings by saying they're just not going to bother.

"Seating will not be assigned on Intercity Services before and after the Pope's mass. An unallocated seating policy will be in operation. This means you will not be assigned a seat on your ticket. Customers are advised to make use of any available seats on the service"

Jem72

The shortened 0545 has happened in August for at least the last two years. The first time they tried there were a lot of complaints and they gave up after a couple of weeks but it happened last year.

I really can't see the point of running the 1600 to Mullingar only if they have an empty movement as a result. The 1600 is an important component of the service for day-trippers. A lot of people like the flexibility of the hourly service down in the afternoon and I'd say there will be some choosing to drive rather than use the train as a result of the gap in service. I usually take this train and it is always at least half full leaving Mullingar.

It seems very short-sighted to be cutting back on the regular service in order to accommodate people who only use the train once a year for specials - even if the special is profitable on a once-off basis.

Jamie2k9

https://www.eveningecho.ie/corknews/Lack-of-train-drivers-hitting-Cork-commuters-2b5bc86f-640e-4961-b438-f9fa7aeed377-ds

Figures obtained by Fianna Fáil enterprise spokesperson and Cork North Central TD Billy Kelleher show there are meant to be 54 drivers based out of Cork, but Irish Rail is down 16 drivers due to long-term sick leave, retirements, and deaths. Irish Rail said there are currently five vacancies in Cork, but the availability of staff has been impacted further by long-term illnesses and annual leave.

devnull

Politician very much spinning in those quotes, trying to portray it as a government issue to score a few cheap political points whilst drumming up support in their local constituency.

The quotes from Irish Rail paint a rather different story for the reasons, as has been discussed here previously over and over again, it all comes back to industrial relations and mentoring.

Unfortunately the extended industrial relations issue over two years which saw driver training halted, while recently resolved, has resulted in a stretch in our driving resources at what is a busy time of the year.

While this will be an issue through this summer, the resumption in driver training and other transfers internally will see the situation improve thereafter.