Rail Users Ireland Forum - View Single Post - Longford services (all stops): Any point to it

ThomasJ · 21-10-2007, 01:01

I noticed recently that there are never any decent passenger numbers on the Maynooth-Longford stage of the services that call at all stops between connolly and longford.

When looking at the journey planner on the irish rail website I noticed that there was a 17.05 that runs non-stop to mullingar and onwards to edgeworthstown and longford. It takes 1hrs 38mins to get whereas the 17.15 (yes 10 minutes later) to Longford takes just under 2hrs 10mins. Is there any pont to the 17.15 all stations? why is this in place? Is there a sudden surge in passenger numbers for mullingar/longford between 17.05 and 17.15? Why would someone want to take a longer journey?

Its the same with the 18.00hrs to longford (skips maynooth commuter stations) which takes 1 hr 38 mins which is followed 17 mins later by the 18.17 all stations to longford which takes just under 2 hrs 10mins. Is there any point to this?

I just find it strange that its a waste of 2 eight-car sets that could be used better. what do you think?

What are passenger numbers like on the all-stops?
Should the 17.15 and 18.17 be evened out to 17.30 and 18.30, or is there any point to them even going to longford?
Should the all-stops be curtailed to maynooth or enfield and more non-stops to longford appear?
What about morning services?
Should the Sligo early bird return along with a direct service from longford?
again curtailing the all-stops back to maynooth or even enfield?

21-10-2007, 01:01	#1
ThomasJ Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Clonsilla Posts: 2,812	Longford services (all stops): Any point to it I noticed recently that there are never any decent passenger numbers on the Maynooth-Longford stage of the services that call at all stops between connolly and longford. When looking at the journey planner on the irish rail website I noticed that there was a 17.05 that runs non-stop to mullingar and onwards to edgeworthstown and longford. It takes 1hrs 38mins to get whereas the 17.15 (yes 10 minutes later) to Longford takes just under 2hrs 10mins. Is there any pont to the 17.15 all stations? why is this in place? Is there a sudden surge in passenger numbers for mullingar/longford between 17.05 and 17.15? Why would someone want to take a longer journey? Its the same with the 18.00hrs to longford (skips maynooth commuter stations) which takes 1 hr 38 mins which is followed 17 mins later by the 18.17 all stations to longford which takes just under 2 hrs 10mins. Is there any point to this? I just find it strange that its a waste of 2 eight-car sets that could be used better. what do you think? What are passenger numbers like on the all-stops? Should the 17.15 and 18.17 be evened out to 17.30 and 18.30, or is there any point to them even going to longford? Should the all-stops be curtailed to maynooth or enfield and more non-stops to longford appear? What about morning services? Should the Sligo early bird return along with a direct service from longford? again curtailing the all-stops back to maynooth or even enfield?