NASRUG met with IrishRail at the start of last week to discuss various issues on the rail service from Naas and Sallins station. Full minutes are below.
Meeting Report
NASRUG met with Irish Rail on Monday 25th March.
Present for NASRUG: James Lawless, John Cunniffe, Conor McGarry
Present for Irish Rail: Myles McHugh
1. Timetable
JL queried whether a new timetable could be introduced Summer 2010 due to KRP concluding. MMcH stated that line capacity in place but dependency on rolling stock. Stock on order for delivery 2011. Passenger numbers down at present. Next timetable to be introduced November 2010. Agreed a dedicated meeting would be held Autumn for timetable inputs.
JL Asked whether Docklands station might allow Phoenix park tunnel trains into town – answer no because Meath on track about to link in there via new line at Pace.
2. Punctuality
MMcH acknowledged punctuality had been an issue from Nov 09 thru Jan 10. Measures taken in Jan 10 by IR seem be working. NASRUG acknowledged recent improvement. Noted the 6.31am train still unreliable. MMcH to check this service.
3. Station Upgrade
JL asked when would the station upgrade finally take place? MMcH said that Sallins had “fallen between gaps” with KRP on one side and intercity station revamps on the other. Said design now in progress. Aiming provide disability access by end 2010. Dependent on department transport funding but MMcH said department had always supported disability projects to date. CCTV and other upgrades planned alongside. Access may not take form of lift possibly overhead ramp and bridge instead.
4. Miscellaneous
Smart cards currently being rolled out on DART line, may be rolled out later in year on Sallins line. Discussed repair work at station car park including broken bollards and patch ground. Useful discussion on future of underground carpark also. Asked whether bike rack can be secured with concrete, MMcH to progress. JC raised late boarding of 17.35 MMcH to investigate. Announcements raised (as always) and mismatched station announcements.
5. Infrastructure
Metro West investment received EU approval last week. Interconnector at advanced stage design.
————————————————————————————————————————
Coincidentally an article appeared in some local media last week surrounding the disability access issues at the station and suggesting the issue was in hand – sample coverage:(http://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/Sallins-train-station-to-get.6176342.jp).
The reports (which obviously followed the script of a press release) did not relate to what was discussed at the meeting, the information (for what it was worth) was not shared with those of us attending the meeting and I would have to wonder as to its timing and why this was released within the same week as the ‘official’ set piece meeting was due to take place. Could it have been an attempt to hog the headlines and displace the ‘official’ meeting in news cycles? Or am I too cynical?
Good stuff. Interesting that more rolling stock is due. Hopefully we can expect improvements in timetable even with cutbacks!
Btw, you didn’t get Metro North and Metro West mixed up? I think the EIB outlined a possible €500m loan for Metro North last week. As I’ve said before, I think Metro West is a bad idea. It’s too far out to operate as a proper “circle line”.
Hi James
Just to let you know that the KRP is not being fully commissioned and no additional trains are being introduced. As a result some of the new batch of trains are going to the Western Rail Corridor instead. Myles McHugh would have known that when he met you. It was confirmed in todays Tribune as well.
Furthermore the reason he gave you about the PPT is a red herring and always has been. Irish Rail didn’t bother to connect it to Docklands despite promising to at an Oireachtas Transport Committee meeting. There is loads of spare capacity in Docklands.
I would also suggest that Sallins will not be upgraded anytime soon. When one looks at Monasterevan, the Midleton line and the WRC, it highlights how the decision making process is flawed within Irish Rail. Sallins is rapidly turning into one of the worst stations in the country.
Sorry to be so negative James, but Irish Rail are offering you nothing through these meetings.
@Derek,
Thanks for stopping by.
Myles told us the KRP track works are complete but rolling stock is on hold till next year. In fairness this is reasonable with passenger numbers down significantly. Having the infrastructure means they can upgrade service on demand.
The PPT is an old chestnut, nice to have but the LUAS has addressed the issues in the short term and the Interconnector in longer term.
The meetings can be worthwhile, we often achieve resolution on many micro issues and have had good inputs into timetabling etc before. This year our group successfully lobbed for the restoration of the 7.30am service. All in all I think its better keep lines of communication open.
Re the station upgrade yes I am not holding my breath either, the local media appear to consider this a done deal but I similarly suspect reality may beg to differ.
Hi James
The rolling stock has yet to be delivered. It will be late next year before its commissioned to service, thereby feeing up other stock to be deployed as suited. However the current situation is that this won’t happen as a result of cutbacks. I apprciate that numbers are down, but it will lead to a continuation of some intercity services acting as commuter trains and this has a kickback across the network. Furthermore the expansion of services is not just about numbers, its about choice, which we know is always a difficulty in Sallins.
The PPT issue is perhaps different for your needs in comparison to my view on it. The route would provide a much needed service through heavily populated parts of the city and provide an alternative Kildare service by default. But its quite clear that despite all the arguments IE just don’t want to do it. In fact the excuses change on a regular basis! But nice to see you mention it.
Best of luck with your meetings with IE and I appreciate you have success with macro issues. Unfortunately, as you know, I have found from my experiences that they can be a time consuming waste, when it comes to seeking reform on a larger scale.
D.