"I'm mad for a cup of tea" - Calls for catering on Mayo train route
Deputy Lawless has called on Iarnród Éireann to ensure that the Mayo rail line is included in the pilot programme aimed at restoring onboard catering services on trains.
Mayo TD Paul Lawless has received confirmation from Iarnród Éireann that it intends to introduce a pilot scheme aimed at restoring onboard catering services on train routes operating from Heuston Station before the end of the year.
Deputy Lawless has called on Iarnród Éireann to ensure that the Mayo rail line is included in the pilot programme.
Speaking on the issue, Deputy Lawless described it as ‘shocking’ that passengers travelling on the Mayo line during the recent spell of hot weather were unable to purchase even a cup of tea or a bottle of water on board.
“Catering services remain in place on the Cork and Belfast routes from Dublin, but Irish Rail has now confirmed that it will begin a pilot scheme before the end of the year on ‘selected route or routes’,” he said.
Deputy Lawless said the return of catering services should not place any additional burden on taxpayers, noting that Iarnród Éireann is working with a commercial catering partner.
“I am confident that this service can be self-sustaining with the advancement of technology, and I hope the pilot programme will demonstrate that,” he added.
Passengers travelling on the Mayo route have also voiced strong support for the return of onboard catering services.
Speaking to The Mayo News, Paul Corrigan, who was travelling from Heuston Station to Castlebar today, said the service is “very badly needed between Westport and Dublin, without a shadow of a doubt”.
Betty Timmons also welcomed the prospect of catering services returning to Mayo trains.
“Definitely a good idea to bring back the tea trolley. I’m mad for a cup of tea, and I can’t get it. It’s badly needed, especially on a day like today,” she said.
The Mayo TD also highlighted a separate issue that continues to cause frustration for passengers travelling from Mayo.
“There is a lot of frustration among passengers from Mayo at the short notice they are given in Heuston Station between the platform number being displayed and the train’s departure,” he said.
“I have received reports of commuters rushing to board trains, arriving out of breath, and in some cases missing their service altogether because of the delays in announcing platforms.”
Following correspondence with Iarnród Éireann on the matter, Deputy Lawless said he received confirmation that the company aims to “commence boarding services approximately 25 minutes prior to departure”, while acknowledging that boarding announcements can be “occasionally delayed due to operational factors”.