Proposals for extra train services in North Tipperary...

[Mark Gleeson]

Irish Rail have made no submission to the NTA and I have that in writing so who knows where all this is coming from

[Destructix]

New Train Times On Ballybrophy Line

TIPPERARY STAR
Published on Wednesday 15 February 2012 10:14

IARNROD Eireann are to announce a new initiative in an attempt to improve passenger numbers on the Ballybrophy line, according to Deputy Noel Coonan.

The line serves Birdhill, Nenagh, Cloughjordan and Roscrea, with trains to and from Dublin and Limerick. It was earmarked to be closed under the McCarthy Report.

However, Deputy Coonan has welcomed Iarnrod Eireann’s proposal to the National Transport Authority to provide an early morning service from Limerick to Dublin via Nenagh and Roscrea.

Under the new spring / summer schedule, Iarnrod Eireann is planning to expand its service which, he said, “will be of very welcome news to those living in the environs of Roscrea and Nenagh. I have been informed that Iarnrod Eireann is proposing a number of additional services on the Nenagh / Roscrea rail line - one extra service in the morning and two in the evening, which will improve the number of services from four to seven.”

He revealed that the early morning service was timed to stop in Roscrea at 06.38 and arrive in Dublin at 08.20 without having to change trains at Ballybrophy.

“This should be a very appealing options to commuters in the North Tipperary and South Offaly area,” continued the TD.

“These route changes require the approval of the National Transport Authority, and I will be supporting Iarnrod Eireann’s proposal and calling on all public representatives and ministers to ensure this positive additional service will come to fruition. It will greatly improve commuter travel options for those living in Roscrea and Nenagh,” said Deputy Coonan.

Junior Minister for Public Transport Alan Kelly, whose remit includes train services, said: “While it would be premature to announce any changes for the line, I hope to be in a position to do so in a very positive way in the near future. I would like to thank all those public representatives who have been so supportive of my endeavours to date.”

He told the Tipperary Star that he was “working extremely hard with Irish Rail to improve the service on the Ballybrophy line, especially with regards to its services to Dublin”.

Deputy Kelly also congratulated Nenagh Rail Partnership on the way they had worked with Irish Rail and himself on this matter. The partnership, which is chaired by Nenagh’s Mayor Virginia O’Dowd, was set up almost eight years ago to lobby for extra services on the line and secured an early morning commuter service from Nenagh to Limerick in 2009. It also secured an extra train service from Limerick in the evenings.

A spokesperson for the partnership said: “Nenagh Rail Partnership has been working closely with Minister Alan Kelly, Junior Minister for Transport, and we would expect any official announcement to come through his office.”

Not going to get into the whole intercity part of this line too much but can see it having the same fate as the commuter service. But more commuter services when the people aint using the ones they have already have is stupid.

[doherty jack]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Irish Rail have made no submission to the NTA and I have that in writing so who knows where all this is coming from

well we are launching the timetable this monday in nenagh .......

[doherty jack]

i would in 12months , IE will try to close the line becuase they will say that they made an attempt to improve services but there is low patronage!!

[karlr42]

Originally Posted by doherty jack

well we are launching the timetable this monday in nenagh .......

So it would seem.

http://www.irishrail.ie/cat_news.jsp?i=4483&p=116&n=237

[Jamie2k9]

Suprised to see a new 13.40 direct to Limerick and I prosume it will save IE having to send an empty train to operate the 09.00 from Limerick in the mornings.

[brompton7]

This timetabling is surely fatal to the commuters that use the service. Nobody that I know that leaves work at 1700 can effectively get the 1705 service. Likewise those that finish at 1600 will not now be able to make the 1605 service, they must wait until 1705. Despite this, there seems to be a 15 minute connection window in Ballybrophy. It takes me 10 minutes precisely to cycle from the hospital, where I work. A bus journey takes about that from Raheen with a 5 minute walk from O'Connell street drop. Why has this happened without consultation with the USERS of the service??? Why was there no dialogue through which some compromise could be reached? This is madness.

[dowlingm]

Originally Posted by brompton7

This timetabling is surely fatal to the commuters that use the service. Nobody that I know that leaves work at 1700 can effectively get the 1705 service.

Here's the thing though... were there that many commuters? I remember stories of the northbound being terminated at Birdhill for lack of trade in the evenings. Brompton7, from your experience what were loads like on the services you used?

Mark G - is it possible for IE to make this sort of adjustment without NTA approval? If not there seems to have been some porkypies told. {EDIT - just re-read the release which claims NTA approval}

[comcor]

Out of interest, how did this line escape the axe historically?

Would patronage have been that much better than on Dublin-Cavan, Limerick-Tralee and Waterford-Dungarvan?

[doherty jack]

Originally Posted by brompton7

This timetabling is surely fatal to the commuters that use the service. Nobody that I know that leaves work at 1700 can effectively get the 1705 service. Likewise those that finish at 1600 will not now be able to make the 1605 service, they must wait until 1705. Despite this, there seems to be a 15 minute connection window in Ballybrophy. It takes me 10 minutes precisely to cycle from the hospital, where I work. A bus journey takes about that from Raheen with a 5 minute walk from O'Connell street drop. Why has this happened without consultation with the USERS of the service??? Why was there no dialogue through which some compromise could be reached? This is madness.

i totally agree with you as it should be defeered until 17.20 and 4.20! but this timetable is complety geared towards dublin only it seem , i have the draft timetable!
they might be defeerfing it to 4.15 and 5.15 !! as i just heard

[doherty jack]

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NewsService Updates ArchiveSpecial OffersNews ArchiveNenagh, Limerick and Commuter service improvements, from 5th March 2012
20 February 2012

A new morning direct Intercity rail service from Nenagh and Roscrea amongst others to Dublin will commence on 5th March.

The new service is one of a number of changes which will benefit rail customers from the Nenagh branch line, serving Castleconnell, Birdhill, Nenagh, Roscrea and Cloughjordan. There will also be improvements to Limerick/Dublin services and Kildare commuter services as a result, following approval of changes by the National Transport Authority.

The new service and service changes which take effect from Monday 5th March are:

- New 05.15 Limerick to Dublin via Nenagh service (Mon-Fri), serving Castleconnell (05.31), Birdhill (05.40), Nenagh (06.04), Cloughjordan (06.21) and Roscrea (06.38) arriving in Dublin Heuston at 08.25.

- The new 05.15 Limerick to Dublin via Nenagh service will also serve Ballybrophy (07.01), Portlaoise (07.16), Sallins (07.58), Hazelhatch (08.07) and Adamstown (08.12), giving a new morning commuter train for these towns.

- New direct 13.40 Heuston to Limerick service daily (Mon to Sat) serving Portlaoise (14.39), Thurles (15.08) and arriving in Limerick at 15.50.

- Nenagh branch customers will now connect off the 17.05 Heuston to Tralee service in the evenings at Ballybrophy (departs Ballybrophy 18.20), replacing the existing connection off the 17.25 Heuston to Limerick service

- A new additional evening connection will be provided for Nenagh branch customers off the 18.00 Heuston to Cork service at Ballybrophy (departs Ballybrophy at 19.15)

- The existing 16.45 Limerick to Ballybrophy via Nenagh service will be rescheduled to depart at 16.05, arriving at Ballybrophy at 18.00, and connecting with the 18.16 Ballybrophy to Dublin Heuston service.

- The existing 17.45 Limerick to Nenagh commuter service will now be rescheduled to depart at 17.05 from Limerick to Nenagh, and will continue to Cloughjordan and Ballybrophy also.

- The existing 10.05 Ballybrophy to Limerick via Nenagh will now arrive in Limerick at 11.59, and the 12.00 Limerick to Limerick Junction will now depart at 12.02, to allow a connection between these two trains.

The service changes will increase connections between Dublin and Nenagh from two each way currently to four Nenagh to Dublin connections and three Dublin to Nenagh connections daily.

Fares for customers travelling from Nenagh and Roscrea to Dublin are:

Nenagh-Dublin

Adult Single: €25.50

Adult Day Return: €26.00

Adult Open Return: €33.00

Student Single: €17.50

Student Open Return: €25.00

Child fares: 50% of adult fare rounded down to nearest 50c



Roscrea-Dublin

Adult Single: €24.00

Adult Day Return: €24.50

Adult Open Return: €32.00

Student Single: €14.50

Student Open Return: €20.90

Child fares: 50% of adult fare rounded down to nearest 50c



Full details of new schedule from 5th March for Dublin to Limerick via Nenagh