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Unread 18-02-2008, 14:37   #11
Mark Gleeson
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Coach C, Seat 33
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The new services require more staff to work than before, so there is a need for an extra driver to drive one of the Sunday morning Cork Dublin Cork runs

The issue of Cork - Cobh is more a case of prioritisation to avoid canceling Dublin Cork trains

Its not some staff in Cork, its a lot of staff in Cork, Dublin and possibly Limerick. Thanks to the Ennis line being closed Limerick hasn't been a problem.

If the staff aren't rested fully there is a higher risk of accidents, staff angry at rosters, proceedures and so are not likely to be the most customer friendly either. Happy rested staff are better for passengers.

Basic fact is Irish Rail don't have enough drivers to cover the services without going to overtime and rest days. Its been a serious ongoing problem for years in Dublin. The closed shop recruitment policy prevents fully quailified drivers from other EU countries (particularly the UK) directly entering the driving grade, an NIR driver fully quailified would have to sweep platforms first and apply despite being certified to drive on the Irish Rail rule book.

Anyone remember the winter of madness 2000/2001 when the DART went nuts due to driver shortages, IE had to completely change the recruitment policies to make it much easier to drive a DART.

Last edited by Mark Gleeson : 18-02-2008 at 14:39.
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