This article is from page 17 of the 2012-05-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
MORE than two years after the opening of the Western Rail Corridor between Ennis and Galway, passengers will soon be able to purchase tickets online.
Iarnród Éireann confirmed last week that the much anticipated rollout of online booking should be in place by this September.
The inability to purchase tickets online has been pinpointed by rail campaigners, including West on Track, as one of the reasons why passenger numbers on the line have not met initial expectations.
In a letter to Clare TD Joe Carey (FG) last week, the Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, Richard Fearn, confirmed that online booking would soon be coming but also confirmed that no plans were currently in place to introduce catering on the line.
“It is Iarnród Éireann’s intention to offer online booking for all Intercity and regional services. I anticipate that tickets for journeys between Ennis and Galway will be bookable on- line by September of 2012. By then, changes to the software controlling our online booking service will be made,” said Mr Fearn.
“On-board catering services are provided for Iarnród Éireann by Rail Gourmet Ltd, on our services where the level of patronage justifies the cost of provision of a trolley service. Rail Gourmet have considered the Western Rail Corridor route, but to provide a catering trolley on the line would require further subsidies, which Iarnród Éireann is not in a position to fund at present.”
Deputy Carey last week urged Iarnród Éireann to reconsider the provision of a trolley service, once the online booking situation had been resolved.
“I was also concerned that commuters couldn’t even get a cup of tea on the service at present, as no onboard catering services are available. I note that this aspect of Irish Rail’s business is handled by a third party but would encourage the company, following the availability of online fares, to look again at this aspect of the business,” said Deputy Carey.
“In terms of scheduling, I note that the fastest trains currently available on the route both leave mid-afternoon, and would not be relevant to the vast majority of commuters in terms of getting to work or college. If we could get an early morning train, with a running time of less than 1 hour 15 minutes, and this was advertised locally, it would in my opinion receive support. The Ennis to Limerick service has performed well since it returned and I believe there is potential to increase business on the Ennis to Athenry line.”