On Wednesday, Irish Rail is planning to declare modifications to the recently introduced timetable, including alterations to schedules on the Maynooth and Drogheda to Dublin routes. These adjustments are scheduled to go into effect starting from Monday, 16th September. Following several complaints regarding overcrowded trains and poor punctuality subsequent to the timetable’s launch on August 26th, these modifications are being implemented. Irish Rail admitted to “issues negatively affecting punctuality performance during the first fortnight of the new timetable’s implementation”, notably around Connolly Station which affected inbound commuter routes.
An apology was expressed to its customers, as Irish Rail geared up for the Wednesday announcements. The impending changes will predominantly involve time shifts of between three to seven minutes predominantly on the Maynooth and Drogheda lines. Certain minor amendments on other lines are also expected.
Having scrutinised the problems and consulted with the National Transport Authority, Irish Rail announced a series of timing adjustments to begin from the forthcoming Monday, 16th September, aimed at enhancing punctuality for its passengers. The company states they look forward to improved punctuality and apologise once again for the inconvenience experienced the past two weeks.
Notably, the new timetable has increased services on the Dublin to Galway and Dublin to Waterford lines, Cork commuter routes, and proposed a new hourly service to Belfast starting in October. Rail Users Ireland spokesperson, Mark Gleeson, notes the enhanced intercity services were welcomed and functioning well, but mentioned widespread delays at Dublin Connolly and commuters vocalising their dissatisfaction around delays and overcrowding.
“Timetable modifications invariably have a positive or negative effect, yet at the very least, commuters should be able to rely on the printed schedule being adhered to. This is even before the start of the academic term and the infamous fallen leaf season that poses significant challenges to wheel traction on the tracks,” affirmed Mr Gleeson.
He further emphasised the increasing concerns shared by regular commuters about potential aggravation of delays in the approaching weeks. According to him, the scale of repeated disruptions and the resulting commuter discontent haven’t been observed on such a broad level in a considerable amount of time.