Metro North seems to be under severe pressure.
If I was in the IMF's shoes, I would postpone all non-started projects (rail, road or other infrastructure) for a year and reopen the business case. Too many seem to involve some level of ministerial pork.
Given the relatively low level of subsidies paid to Irish Rail, current services might get away with it somewhat. However, there will need to be more focus on yield management on services and maximising other revenue streams (for example Irish Rail don't seem to have any tie up with a hotel reservation company).
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