Connolly Side Services - Draft Timetable

[Traincustomer]

Seems reasonable.

[DangerM]

I'm struggling to see the radical changes to the Rosslare line, little to no change to the key commuter trains as far as I can see!

[Mark Gleeson]

07:33 Dublin Rosslare now departs 9:40, several minutes faster
07:50 Rosslare Dublin now departs 7:20, better connection to ferry arrival
16:30 now departs 16:37 operates to Rosslare connection to ferry

13:30 and 18:30 depart 7 minutes late but arrive Rosslare same time

Morning Rosslare change Enniscorthy Dundalk is now a direct train no change

[Eddie]

Would the 1925 and 2128 arrivals into Rosslare from Dublin form the 0535 and 0720 departures the next morning, or are there a lot of empty trains running back and forth to Dublin in the evening and in the early morning?

[Mark Gleeson]

The 16:37 and 18:37 stay the night in Rosslare and operate back as the 5:35 and 7:20. There are drivers based in Rosslare

[Alan French]

I’d be interested to hear people’s opinions on the times of the Rosslare trains. When is really the most popular time for the morning train from Dublin? Over the last 50 years it has varied from 07.25 to 09.50, which makes me wonder how the market really is. In general, the times of first trains on most lines have become earlier over the years, following the needs of business travel. Possibly IR have reckoned that the number of passengers in this category has become very small on the Rosslare line, so they have decided to cater for the leisure travel market, which would suggest a later hour. Do you think this is what has happened?

Then there is the question of the afternoon run from Rosslare. This changed from 14.45 to 13.25 in 2003, when the train was extended to provide an extra run from Connolly to Maynooth and back. This ceased in 2009 with the coming of the ICRs, but the train retains its earlier time. Is it still the best time? The later time, incidentally, would allow a connection from the 11.00 Lynx sailing from Fishguard (which will be relevant next summer). And would a change to about 14.45 cater for enough local traffic to allow the 17.55 to be deferred to 18.55 and become a boat train?

Assuming these are the best times (09.40 returning 12.55), it leaves an ICR train idle for the two busiest times of the day. So I intend to suggest to IR that they should pick the most crowded place and time on any of the three suburban lines, and run the train as an extra to relieve crowding. I know it has only three coaches, and I know that boarding and alighting will be slower with the narrower doors, but there should be some role that the train can fill. Has anyone any ideas on a likely candidate? Maybe 08.35 from Bray, running non-stop to Lansdowne Road? Or maybe 07.50 from Maynooth, non-stop or limited stop? Similarly in the evenings. (I reckon that the 17.07 Connolly-Balbriggan, which dates from 2004, is a similar example of the use of a 4-coach train to relieve pressure on other trains).

It seems that they have improved overall efficiency on the Rosslare line by reducing empty running. I would still like to see some of the gaps filled, at least between Dublin and Arklow.

[Alan French]

On the Belfast line, I’m wondering about the Lisburn stops. How did they decide which trains would stop there, do you think? It looks like the ones with the most spare capacity. If it’s to encourage southerners to visit Lisburn for shopping, then I suggest that the 16.10 from Belfast should also stop there.

The Sligo line seems to be working successfully with its two-hourly pattern of service. One thing I would add is the possibility of a train for commuters to Sligo. This was proposed some years ago when there was only one train based in Sligo, which left at 07.30. Now there are three trains based there, and one doesn’t start till 09.00. So I suggest a 07.30 from Sligo to Boyle, returning about 08.05, Mon-Fri. The problem is that departures from Sligo in the evening are at 17.00 and 19.00, and there is no train available to do a run between these.

[DangerM]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

07:33 Dublin Rosslare now departs 9:40, several minutes faster
07:50 Rosslare Dublin now departs 7:20, better connection to ferry arrival
16:30 now departs 16:37 operates to Rosslare connection to ferry

13:30 and 18:30 depart 7 minutes late but arrive Rosslare same time

Morning Rosslare change Enniscorthy Dundalk is now a direct train no change

For me, as a daily commuter, I don't see how 7 minute adjustments to a timetable are considered radical. Radical for the rosslare line would be a train home later than 6:30pm!

[Mark Gleeson]

The major changes are for significantly improved connections at Rosslare

A 7 minute journey time reduction is a significant event

[sublimity]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

The major changes are for significantly improved connections at Rosslare

A 7 minute journey time reduction is a significant event

I really welcome that 7 min difference. It means we won't be crawling as much from connolly to bray!

Mark, do you reckon the new morning rosslare - dundalk direct service will be 6 coach operated?

[Mark Gleeson]

The early morning service is likely to remain a 4 coach but there is scope to move to 6 coaches once the express Longford/Dundalk services switch to ICR operation in 2012

Needless to say we have ongoing correspondence with DART management to see what can be done to cut a few minutes out of the DART schedules.