This article is from page 4 of the 2013-02-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
PRESSURE is mounting on Iarnród Éireann to deliver a “dramatic improvement” in passenger numbers on the Ennis to Galway section of the Western Rail Corridor or they could face the consequences, including a possible reduction of services on the line. This was the thinly veiled threat made by the Minister for Public and Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly (FG), last Thursday when he expressed his concerns over the future of the € 100 million project.
The Ennis to Galway section of the line has so far failed to capture the type of passenger numbers seen on the Ennis to Limerick services and is now understood to be under threat as future cuts to services are announced by the rail provider.
A small increase in passenger num- bers has been recorded in recent months and it is hoped that further improvements expected on the line in the months ahead may boost passenger numbers further.
These improvements include the creation of new stations at Crusheen and Oranmore, as well as the introduction of online booking and special online fares.
Speaking last Thursday, Minister Kelly said that the costs associated with the service meant that there was a clear need to improve passenger numbers. He also expressed his hope that the new commercial plan currently being drawn up by Iarnród Éireann would encourage people to use the service more.
Minister Kelly said that it would not be his choice to close any rail lines, but there were “concerns” about the usage of a number of passenger lines on the network.