Train service issues raised with Irish Rail
IRISH Rail officials met with Deputy Lisa Chambers yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon to discuss issues surrounding the Mayo train services.
“Rumours have been circulating for quite some time that major changes surrounding the staffing and ticketing at rural train stations are going to drastically change,” explained Deputy Chambers.
“There are plans to replace people on the ground at the stations and deploy customer service only on-board trains, essentially leaving stations unmanned. This is totally unacceptable for an array of reasons.
“I raised this issue with Irish Rail, explaining that if they leave stations like that Castlebar, Claremorris, Westport and Ballyhaunis unmanned, it will greatly reduce the service for people.
“People with disabilities and elderly people need a guarantee that there will be staff there to assist them boarding the train. We can’t end up in a situation where it’s a lotto on whether or not you can board the train.”
The issue of anti-spcial behaviour was also raised. “Anti-social behaviour is on the rise on trains,” she said. “We don’t have enough staff to deal with that issue. How can we trust there will be staff to assist passengers and provide customer service.”
Proposed changes to the ticketing service at the stations was also discussed, with the deputy highlighting the fact that unmanned stations cannot cater to everyone’s needs.
“An example of this would be a family travelling up from the west to see Mayo play in Croke Park wanting to purchase a family pass ticket, but are unable to do so because you cannot purchase a family pass from a ticket machine,” she said.
The need for an extension of the existing service from Westport to Dublin was also raised. There are currently only nine services daily between the two - five to Dublin from Westport and four from Dublin to Westport.
“I expressed the need for a later train from Dublin to Westport as the existing service is not fit for purpose,” she stated.
“Irish Rail will happily charge you for a seat on the train but too often you can be left without a seat as the existing service is already way over capacity. Between the lack of carriages and overcrowding, an extension to the service is badly needed.”
Finally, the need for a commuter train from Claremorris to Galway was also raised.
“There is definitely the appetite for this type of service and as I outlined to Irish Rail, we often hear about upgrades in the cities, which of course is welcome, but there is a sense that the western region is being left behind when it comes to its rail service and in turn, is essentially being left off the map.”