Offaly rail users urged to back campaign for later Dublin train

RAIL passengers, commuters and members of the public across Offaly have been urged by Deputy John Clendennen to have their say on Iarnród Éireann and the National Transport Authority’s current timetable consultation and help strengthen the case for a later evening train from Dublin Heuston serving Tullamore and Offaly.

The public consultation on proposed timetable changes closes on Monday, 14 September, and Deputy Clendennen has encouraged anyone who would benefit from a later service to make a submission before the deadline.

Deputy Clendennen has repeatedly raised the need for a later service with the Minister for Transport, the NTA and Iarnród Éireann, including through Parliamentary Questions and directly on the floor of the Dáil.

At present, the last train from Dublin Heuston serving Tullamore departs at approximately 8.30pm, considerably earlier than services available to neighbouring commuter towns such as Portarlington and Portlaoise, which are served by trains leaving Dublin as late as approximately 10.10pm.

“An 8.30pm last train from Dublin is simply too early for a town of Tullamore’s size and for the wider population it serves across Offaly,” Deputy Clendennen said.

“Whether you are working late in Dublin, attending a hospital appointment, going to a concert or sporting event, studying, socialising or simply need the flexibility to travel home later in the evening, the current timetable puts Offaly passengers at a significant disadvantage.

“We have seen considerable improvements to rail services in recent years and I strongly support continued investment in public transport, but the timetable also has to reflect how people actually live and travel.

“That is why I have consistently made the case for an additional later evening service from Heuston which would serve Tullamore and potentially other stations along the Dublin - Galway corridor.”

Deputy Clendennen said the current public consultation provides an important opportunity for local passengers to demonstrate the level of demand for such a service.

“Iarnród Éireann has made clear that feedback can be submitted in relation to all routes, regardless of whether a particular change is already contained in the draft timetable.

“This means there is a very real opportunity for people in Offaly to put the need for a later service firmly on the record.

“I would particularly encourage commuters, students, businesses, tourism and hospitality operators, families and anybody who regularly travels between Dublin and Offaly to take a few minutes to make a submission.

“The greater the level of public support demonstrated through this consultation, the stronger the evidence we have when making the case to Iarnród Éireann and the NTA.”

Deputy Clendennen said he would continue pursuing the matter irrespective of the outcome of the current timetable review.

“The restoration of onboard catering to selected Dublin - Galway services serving Tullamore and Clara recently demonstrated that improvements can be achieved when a strong case is made.

“A later evening service is the next improvement I want to see delivered for Offaly.

“Tullamore is a major regional town and an important employment, education, healthcare, and tourism centre. It should have a rail timetable which reflects that role and gives passengers reasonable flexibility when travelling to and from our capital city.

“I would therefore encourage as many people as possible to make their views known before Monday’s deadline. This consultation gives us an opportunity to demonstrate clearly that there is both a need and a demand for a later train serving Offaly.”