Every chance possible.

Wicklow annual tickets going up 15% in the last 11 months, not on really

Yes, you are paying to get there. You are not necessarily paying for a seat!

There are a number of reasons why a shortage of carriages can occur; unplanned maintenance (eg accident damage, vandalism), breakdown, industrial relations issues. These issues can arise at any time, and can have significant effects. Unlike cars, trains generally have very definite service intervals, beyond which they cannot operate without the necessary checks. These also occur far more frequently than those for cars. Therefore, if two units are out due to vandalism, and a third becomes due for a service (or "exam"), there are no spares. Which would you prefer - train runs but with fewer coaches, or train doesn't run and you make your own way?

This is neither a defence or an attack on IE - it is an explanation as to why problems can occur.

You guessed wrong. I do not work for IE, or any other transport company these days, and never have worked in the public transport industry in Ireland. I do however have 35+ years of such experience in the UK, public and private sector, rail and road, operational and customer facing. It was not a cheap jibe - like many, you made a comment on competence of others which you have failed to back up with any indication of your experience, on the basis that you could apparently do better, with no knowledge of the constraints which operators - not just IE - have to work under.

Now, what was your operational experience again?

LC

First off, you stated 'you got where you were going'. As if it was a privelge and I should be in debt to Irish Rail for getting the train from A-B. As Mark says, a travel time of 07:25 - 08:50, 1hr 25Min (Connolly - Wicklow), it is not being unreasonable to expect a seat when it is costing €1,500 a year!

Secondly, my operational experience is irrelevant in this. It is Irish rail's. Fair play to you, you have 35+ experience (Blue Peter badge in the Post). Granted I may not be the same vintage as you, but I have enough experience to know that this is down to poor management of the trains and carraiges.

I don't know what it was like over in the UK, but this is Ireland. And at the end of the day, it is not about thinking I can to better, it is about expecting they do better for the money I am paying.

To much to ask?

There was a letter in the Metro this morning complaining about the lack of capacity on the early morning southeastern services.

Saw that. I would be very surprised if there is a response. I would be equally surprised if Mr Fearns decides to use the Metro for future Media Communications as he has this week.

The Barry is away, so they are in a tight spot for the next week or so

The Barry? For fear of making myself appear a little slow, what do you mean? :p

Head of corporate communications is on holidays it appears

That noise is the sound of a penny dropping right beside me. Cheers.

IM NO EXPERT, MAYBE THE TRAINS TRAVEL TO SLOW WICKLOW-BRAY-CONNOLLY. IT SHOULD ROUGHLY TAKE 52-55MINS TO EXACTLY AN HOUR CONNOLLY TO WICKLOW

stop shouting .... shhhhhhhh.....

I disagree - aiming to have a seat for everyone ups the ante, and is a great thing to work towards. Of course it's not possible to provide that, but I'd rather IE aimed higher than low...