Nenagh Finally Gets A Commuter service

[Mark Gleeson]

New Nenagh Commuter Service to begin on Monday 1st September by Corporate Communications


A new daily commuter rail service launches for the first time between Nenagh and Limerick on Monday 1st September.

The new service, developed in a unique initiative between Iarnród Éireann and community-based group Nenagh Rail Partnership, sees new services operating which will enable commuters living in Nenagh, Birdhill and Castleconnell, and working in Limerick City, to switch to rail, with commuter services operating as follows:

Morning

Departs Nenagh - 07.55hrs
Departs Birdhill - 08.17hrs
Departs Castleconnell - 08.27hrs
Arrive Limerick - 08.45hrs

Evening

Departs Limerick - 16.45hrs
Departs Castleconnell - 17.04hrs
Departs Birdhill - 17.14hrs
Arrive Nenagh - 17.39hrs

Departs Limerick - 17.47hrs
Departs Castleconnell - 18.06hrs
Departs Birdhill - 18.16hrs
Arrive Nenagh - 18.40hrs

A spokesperson said “the new Nenagh-Limerick commuter service marks the culmination of a number of years work and cooperation between Nenagh Rail Partnership and Iarnród Éireann. We are delighted this work has come to fruition, and we urge the communities which will be served by the new commuter service to avail of the new departure times.”


Iarnród Éireann are offering a special introductory fare for the new service for a limited time, with a monthly commuter ticket available at €133.50 from Nenagh, €91.50 from Birdhill and €67.50 from Castleconnell, giving 4 weeks travel for the price of 3 weekly season tickets.

Regular commuters can save even more money with the Taxsaver Commuter ticket scheme. This is a salary sacrifice scheme under which an employee agrees with the employer to take a cut in remuneration and in return the employer provides a benefit of a corresponding amount to the employee, in this case the rail season ticket.

Using the Taxsaver scheme commuter rail tickets for top rate taxpayers, during this introductory offer, can cost as little as €3.55 per day from Nenagh, €2.15 from Birdhill and €1.80 from Castleconnell.

Full details from local Iarnrod Eireann stations and irishrail.ie
PDF Document

One fairly badly timed train each way isn't going to really make a difference, its a pity since we have discussed this it many people over the last 5 years. You need 8 trains each way

[Mark Hennessy]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

One fairly badly timed train each way isn't going to really make a difference, its a pity since we have discussed this it many people over the last 5 years. You need 8 trains each way

I guess its a start though, but you would want to be pretty sure of your work hours to rely on the train.

Certainly 3 trains in the morning and 3 back in the evening would have been more of genuine enticement to get folks out of their cars.

[Mark Gleeson]

Wouldn't recommend buying a monthly ticket until October, to see how it goes first, 8:45am arrival is a little tight, question is how close to that can be delivered.

Irish Rail don't seem to be in a hurry to give the actual fares

Fares available from us of course
Nenagh
http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_in... stage1=Submit
Birdhill
http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_in... stage1=Submit
Castleconnell
http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_in...&stage1=Submit

Journey is now 11 minutes slower than the 1970's and of course unlike the Ennis line, they will have to close the line in coming years to sort the track out pushing away the passengers they gain.

Car park charges will arrive in Nenagh in the near future

[Rushed2nowhere]

I'm currently studying in L.I.T. One of my friends commutes from Nenagh every morning. Every day last year our lectures started at nine which makes the morning train useless. It takes at least 20 minutes to walk upto L.I.T from Limerick station. None of the city buses start/terminate in Limerick Station either though some pass by the station.
The evening trains are perfect though as last year on most days we finished either at 4 or 5.
More trains, all city buses stopping outside the station and a train station on the northside and near the Dublin Road with a shuttle bus to U.l. would make these new services very sucessful.

[dowlingm]

A held 323 bus from Castleconnell to the City by way of Plassey/Castletroy is about the best that can be hoped for there.

As for the disruption to come during, sure that's true but it's how they did Ennis commuter... and the bustitution will end up quicker just as the Dublin bus is.

[weehamster]

I think the idea of more community-based Rail Partnerships should be encouraged around the country. Could be a idea for RUI to get involved.

[Mark Gleeson]

Nenagh isn't one in the sense of what is done elsewhere e.g in the UK

Already discussed the idea with a local group not so long ago and they have effectively fewer trains per day than Nenagh has

There is no cash being put up by Nenagh nor any commercial assistance, e.g. coffee shop at station etc from what we know. In the true sense of partnership the local authority would be writing cheques to make it happen. Its a curious thing for a town to encourage people to leave it, normally these things work on a line or destination basis

We have had positive discussions with people in the Limerick/Tipperary area, but for something way bigger, you need 8 trains a day and a proper fare structure

Example
Newbridge Dublin 25 miles, 161 euro per month, approx. 6 trains each rush hour
Nenagh Limerick 25 miles, 161 euro per month, 1 train each rush hour

Given Newbridge complains about the fares being some of the highest per mile, the 161 euro monthly can't be justified

Tom has more given he is the 'local'

[dowlingm]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Newbridge Dublin 25 miles, 161 euro per month, approx. 6 trains each rush hour
Nenagh Limerick 25 miles, 161 euro per month, 1 train each rush hour

10 extra minutes each way too, that's one hour forty extra or so per working week.

[Mark Gleeson]

Though not definitive the Irish Rail website quotes the Nenagh train as due in at 8:56

[ccos]

How is this alleged commuter service doing?

[Mark Gleeson]

Waiting for late Sept early October to see how it really pans out when the discounted fares are withdrawn. Punctuality hasn't been the greatest

Needless to say a 2 car DMU is overkill

Real killer is the 12 odd miles at 25mph

[sublimity]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Waiting for late Sept early October to see how it really pans out when the discounted fares are withdrawn. Punctuality hasn't been the greatest

Needless to say a 2 car DMU is overkill

Real killer is the 12 odd miles at 25mph

What is it with the decreasing of the lenght of trains?ok fair enough the nenagh line probably only warrants a 2 car DMU but in general trains seem to be getting shorter, intercity trains i'm talking about

[Colm Moore]

With a given level of carriages, more services means smallers trains.

While the Mk4s and 22000s have been added, the Cravens and Mk2s are gone.

[ccos]

Is there any work scheduled to eliminate or at least shorten this 12 mile stretch?

[Jferb]

Anyone been on it yet? What sort of passenger numbers is it attracting??

[Mark Gleeson]

We are waiting for the pr hype to disappear, before trying it. Accurate numbers can't be had from other third parties who mostly likely will seek to inflate them

I'm in a weird position where Nenagh and Thurles are about the say time away by car when I'm in Tipperary

But despite driving away from Limerick, Thurles is still the faster route for me

[jpsartre]

see this link on ennis-thread for update on passenger info for nenaghhttp://www.railusers.ie/forum/showth...8300#post38300