'This is a must': Renewed appeal for later train services into Offaly

The prospect of later train services into Tullamore Train Station was discussed at the latest meeting of the elected members recently.

Tullamore Municipal District Councillors raised the topic with representatives from Iarnród Éireann who were present at the October meeting in the Town Hall.

The last train serving Tullamore Train Station currently leaves Dublin’s Heuston Station at 8:30pm with many locals, commuters and representatives expressing their desire for the addition of later options to serve the town.

Tullamore Municipal District Cathaoirleach, Councillor Shane Murray put forward the query asking the Iarnród Éireann representatives: “What are the chances of getting later trains into Tullamore from Dublin? This is a must really.”

Cllr Murray highlighted that the additional train services are also needed to accommodate the expansion happening within Tullamore.

“We’re very much a commuter town now so it’s no surprise to see the high number of people using the train in Tullamore. We also have new housing estates ready to go on the market and there’s a lot more houses going to be built with land rezoned so we expect Tullamore to continue to grow.”

Councillor Sean O’ Brien agreed with the Cathaoirleach’s sentiments that the growing population of Tullamore needs to be catered for regarding later rail service options.

“There will continue to be an increased need for rail services locally, there’s plans for a huge amount of extra housing in Tullamore and people depend on the train because of work opportunities in Dublin so it's a huge factor.”

He added: “Whether people are leaving work late or coming out of hospital appointments, there's a massive demand for a later train in the evening to Tullamore and we need to emphasise that so Iarnród Éireann can keep it in mind moving forward.”

Derrick Curran, Regional Manager of Customer Experience for Iarnród Éireann responded to the request for later services into Offaly. He stated: “It's greatly related to an additional fleet coming on stock or online because if we look at the fleet today in terms of utilisation, we're well above 90% so what's available is in service currently.”

The Iarnród Éireann Regional Manager added: “So it would be dependent on an additional fleet coming online to increase the service offering for Tullamore. It's only two years ago that we added four additional services to the Galway route. This included two services out of Heuston and two out of Galway, both of which were later trains in each direction but I'll take this away and we’ll look into it.”

Deputy Corporate Communications Manager with Iarnród Éireann, Jane Cregan also spoke on the matter insisting that the verdict on additional train services would not be entirely up to them.

She revealed: “The decision is not totally within our gift. We operate our services through public service obligation that's paid to us by the National Transport Authority so our timetable is done in partnership with the NTA.”

“There's just been a public consultation with a new timetable coming in December so what I would recommend is that the next time we do a timetable consultation, you would make representations to say that you would like this done because I think it's something the NTA are definitely open to. We do have the challenges with lack of rolling stock but it’s certainly something that there’s an appetite for.”

Councillor Neil Feighery addressed Iarnród Éireann’s response citing that he appreciates the progress that has been made on the local rail services in recent times but also illustrated the need for a later train.

The Fine Gael representative said: “We do acknowledge that there was a later service provided by Iarnród Éireann and the NTA. I think that was a positive outcome from a meeting we had in this chamber before the last local election where you took what was said on board, and it's been well used.”

“However, I know myself from having meetings late in Dublin that we'd all really love a later service to the town. I think it would be very beneficial to commuters and people who may have to stay on late or even to accommodate and improve the social lives of people travelling from both directions so we need to keep it on the agenda.”

The need for later train services into Tullamore was also discussed recently by Offaly TD John Clendennen who strongly advocated for the addition to be implemented.

Deputy Clendennen 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.

Speaking at the time, John Clendennen TD said: “Whether you’re 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.”

He concluded: “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.”

In September, he urged rail passengers, commuters and members of the public across Offaly to give feedback to Iarnród Éireann and the National Transport Authority’s timetable consultation in order to help strengthen the case for a later evening train from Dublin Heuston serving Tullamore.

However, no plans for later train services into Tullamore were published by Iarnród Éireann in their subsequent report following that public consultation.

Tullamore Municipal District Councillors have now renewed the appeal for the additional services with the topic expected to be part of the agenda moving forward until the later train options from Dublin can become a reality for the people of Offaly and the wider Midlands.