Commuters still left standing out in the rain at Mayo railway station

Commuters are still being left standing out in the rain at a Mayo railway station despite repeated calls for a shelter to be erected at the location.

Senator Mark Duffy, who has been advocating for a shelter at the Manulla Junction platform for some time, said the fact the situation has not been addressed in this day and age is unacceptable.

He outlined: "There are two train lines in Mayo, one originating in Ballina and the other beginning in Westport.

"They meet at Manulla Junction, which has no road or vehicular access.

"Over the past number of years as a public representative, I have been passionate about campaigning for improved connectivity between Mayo and Dublin.

"We were successful in achieving the early-morning rail service, which has gone from strength to strength since it was introduced a number of years ago, and it connects a whole cohort of people in north Mayo.

"A constituent contacted me a number of days ago to explain how, when the Westport line stops and lets passengers off for the Foxford and Ballina line, all the passengers are left out on the platform and in inclement weather, especially at this time of year, they are soaking wet by the time they get onto the next carriage because they have to wait for the other train to come.

"It is a very small and basic ask. The answer I received from Irish Rail was that the passengers can stay on the first train because it will not leave before the next one goes.

"But try telling that to people who are afraid they will miss the connecting train and that the train will take off before they leave.

"Generally, human nature is to get off the train and be ready so you do not get stuck on a train going in the other direction.

"The Minister for Transport needs to look at this matter seriously in the interest of improving the public transport experience for all routes."