Met with Irish Rail last week as planned. Was a good meeting. Myles (our Irish Rail contact) has an amiable approach and is always willing to hear our side of the story. He’s met us half-way many times in the past and at this stage I feel we finally have the service looking good on paper.

However like any good puzzle, the last piece may be the hardest,  being the perennial question of “why can’t the trains run on time?!”

Funnily enough this seems to a particular problem on our route (the Kildare line). Colleagues on the Maynooth line and elsewhere tell me whilst there may be other issues, their trains at least come when expected. We did get a few answers though and reassuring to hear at least they are cognisant of the problem and that there is work being done in the background. Points in detail below.

Heuston Station ; Multi-modal transport hub!

1. Punctuality
Deterioration of service recently. 8.04 always problematic but other services also becoming less reliable. 7.30, 6.22, 8.49, 8.24 all mentioned as regularly late. Some problems with evening services since Christmas.

Irish Rail response that punctuality was acknowledged below par in December/January and apologised for that. Currently examining timetable to reshuffle some services to remove bottlenecks. 6.30 ex Portlaoise (7.08 thru Sallins), 7.20 ex Portlaoise (8.04 thru Sallins), 6.30 ex Carlow (7.13 thru Sallins), amongst routes being remodeled at present to remove congestion. Will not result in any changes to timetable but will be applied in priority order at signal points etc.

2. Car Park Situation
Two fares currently in operation at car park as previously discussed. Irish Rail share NASRUG frustration and are working on issue in tandem.

3. Feeder Bus
Number of issues identified with feeder bus. Irish Rail committed to review of feeder bus operation. May consider centralising stops rather than current ad-hoc pickups. Acknowledged that traffic in Naas grown considerably since feeder bus journey time originally planned.

4. Kildare Direction Services
Limited service in Kildare town direction from Sallins/Dublin. Irish Rail stated that vast majority rolling stock deployed on inwards journeys morning time, reverse in evening. Leaves few options around opposite travel. Agreed to look at in next timetable.

5. Station Upgrade
NASRUG requested accessibility option, e.g lift across tracks. Not currently in scope but NASRUG to follow up request in writing. Station overall to be refitted and disused buildings to be opened as waiting room, offices, toilets, café etc.

6. Late Night Security on Trains
Security Detail employed around Heuston station and sometimes travel on night trains. NASRUG stated had never seen on Kildare trains. Irish Rail agreed to correct this and ensure included on routes. May not be on every train but randomly. Minimum Irish Rail staff should be present and visible on every train.