Increased rail services in pipeline for Mayo

RAIL passengers can look forward to a 60% increase in services to Mayo over the next five years.

Two-hourly all day services are planned by Iarnród Éireann by 2027, as well as some improvements in journey times.

The positive news was relayed to Westport-Belmullet Municipal District members in a presentation by the rail company's Galway district manager, Derrick Curran.

A draft timetable is being drawn up for 2022, with some improvements, like linking Ballina with the 5.20 a.m. early bird service out of Westport.

On-board customer service roles have been created to assist people with mobility issues, issuing tickets directly to the elder, and helping people with pre-booked seats.

Westport will have 10 customer service officers - nine are in place, with the final spot to be filled in July.

In response to a query from Councillor Sean Carey about the provision of food on trains, Mr. Curran said the contractor had not been able to return post Covid. Irish Rail is finalising a tender to select a new contractor for the service.

Among the suggestions from elected members was free travel for students aged 19 to 24, similar to those over 66. Councillor Paul McNamara said it was an extremely costly period in their lives and would make an enormous difference to them.

The company should work with Local Link to bring people in from rural areas to the train in Westport and Ballina, suggested Councillor Gerry Coyle.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Brendan Mulroy asked that Irish Rail would promote Westport more as a destination. He had spoken to people from Dublin on two separate weekends recently who didn't know Westport has a train station, which was 'hard to fathom'.

On free travel for students, fares, members were told, are set by the National Transport Authority.

Councillor McNamara was supported in his call that they make representations at government level.