The coaches haven't been pinched, its true on a Friday up until 2003 that a train was borrowed to run to Tralee but that is no more. If they had been pinched someone would have reported in a weird train somewhere else, and anyway you wouldn't pinch the coaches on the Monday.
What has happened is the required number of coaches exceeds the number of serviceable coaches. The timetable was planned assuming 28 out of the 29 4 coach sets, 9 of the 10 2 coach 2800 type and 8 of 10 2600 type (the 7:18) basically 95% of the fleet is needed in service at rush hour. Elsewhere in Europe 85-90% would be the norm. Effectively there is no maintenance cover thats not a good idea but normally ok since the fleet is also the most reliable in Europe.
So we find ourselves in a strange position, where every train that is available is in service and we can assign no blame to the maintenance guys who are pushing the limit well beyond expectations. The blame lies at management level for creating this situation by adopting a marketing and image approach instead of a service focus
Solutions are
1. Downgrade the Docklands Clonsilla service from 4 to 2 coaches, would still carry the current loads with plently of space. Planning conditions may block this
2. Reinstate a further slam door train to run the morning Gorey Sligo and return. Heuston has at least 2 such trains spare during the week. Not good for image but the old train is more comfortable and just as reliable
Both release 4 coaches which would fill the maintenance gap
The key to public transport is reliability, it needs to show up on time, get there on time and be the same length everyday. Old or new passengers don't actually care once its reliable
As always seems to be way, seems we need to send a man out. So if you see a guy with a black leather folder and a camera in Rush & Lusk or Donabate tomorrow it most likely is me
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