New train services for Kilkenny commuters are ‘a step in the right direction’
“We also mustn’t lose sight of the fact that MacDonagh Station in Kilkenny cannot cater for trains of more than six carriages at present."
The recent roll-out of new train services stopping in Kilkenny and Thomastown has been welcomed by local councillor Pat Fitzpatrick, who described it as ‘a step in the right direction’.
There is now an extra Heuston-Waterford service in each direction (a later final service each way) being delivered through:
1) The old 20.15 hrs Heuston to Carlow (Mon-Sat) being deferred to 20.20 hrs and extended to Waterford (serving Kilkenny and Thomastown)
2) The old 21.37 hrs Carlow to Heuston (Mon-Sat) now commencing from Waterford at 20:20 hrs (serving Kilkenny and Thomastown)
3) An additional service each way (Dublin - Waterford - Dublin) on Sunday, bringing the total services to five in each direction.
“Rail travel is a very popular form of travel and we need it to be accessible for everyone,” Cllr Fitzpatrick said.
“The addition of these new services will help commuters but further services are needed.
“We also mustn’t lose sight of the fact that MacDonagh Station in Kilkenny cannot cater for trains of more than six carriages at present.
“Securing a resolution to this issue shouldn’t be lost just because additional services have been added.
“Overall, the new services are a welcome and positive move from Irish Rail that recognises the needs of local commuters and hopefully they will continue to be proactive in allowing our local rail service function at maximum efficiency.”
Back in July, Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Jim Meade stated that Iarnród Éireann does ‘not have funding at this time for restoration’ of the old long platform at Kilkenny’s train station, but it was the intention to ‘restore the protected structure of the original train shed once funding can be obtained’.