Proposed new timetable for rail commuters criticised by local representatives

IRISH Rail’s proposed train timetable for Carlow, which will go into effect in December, is nearly identical to the current timetable. This is despite campaigning by local politicians and a petition by over 4,000 local residents to increase the frequency of trains on the Dublin to Waterford line, on which Carlow is a stop.

The current timetable has been the cause of much local condemnation as there are no trains from Carlow to Kilkenny or Waterford before 8.24am, which prevents many from using the train to get to work in those cities – the first train from Carlow to Waterford gets in at 9.37am. 

The last train that leaves Dublin for Carlow is at 8.20pm, which prevents many from being able to use the train for an evening out in Dublin. Commuters also say that there are not enough trains from Carlow to Dublin in the morning, as there are no trains at all between 8-9am.

The only changes on the new proposed timetable sees some services moved only a few minutes earlier or later.

The lack of changes in the proposed timetable has brought condemnation from across the political spectrum.

Councillor Daniel Pender previously spoke of the need to increase the frequency of trains on the Dublin to Waterford line, for both Bagenalstown and Carlow.

“It’s very disappointing that they have not added more services or indicated that additional carriages will be added to current services. My understanding is that the trains are busy,” cllr Pender said. 

“There are a lot of commuters in Carlow and, when you think about it, Irish Rail are just shooting themselves in the foot. They could be generating more revenue for themselves.” 

Cllr Pender said at September’s meeting of Bagenalstown Municipal District that the council has great difficulty in getting through to Irish Rail about the need for more parking at Bagenalstown station.

“The county council have officially written to them and we have had very little back. We have received one acknowledgement and we have had to chase them every time to get further,” he said.

The Carlow branch of the Labour Party, who held a meeting about increasing the frequency of trains in Carlow town in May said that the train service at present “does not reflect the need that we have demonstrated through our campaigning and petitioning.” 

“Carlow has many workers both commuting to and commuting out of the town on a daily basis. We also have a student population travelling to and from our university, colleges and schools throughout the day. Additionally, the residents of Carlow are forced through lack of local provision to travel for medical appointments in both directions on this train line,” Peter McCarthy, the chairperson of Carlow Labour Party said last week.

As a next step, Mr McCarthy suggested that people take part in Irish Rail’s consultation to show that Carlow, and other towns on the line, like Bagenalstown, need more frequent transport.