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AN IRISH RAIL customer service representative addressed a passenger’s complaint of overcrowding by saying that the issue could not be resolved without increased government funding.
In an email response to a customer complaint on the 5.15pm service from Dublin Connolly to Longford this month, a customer care worker said that there “was no easy solution to this problem”.
“I would like to apologise on behalf of Iarnrod Éireann for your uncomfortable experience on the 17.15 service to Longford, specifically,” the representative said.
“The capacity on this service has been reduced to a 4 carriage as our Operations Dept decided to increase capacity on an earlier service to Drogheda as numerous passengers were being left behind in Pearse station.
“Due to a severe shortage of available carriages overcrowding on all routes is unavoidable.
“Unless the government increase subvention and allocate funds in order to purchase extra carriages, there is no easy solution to this problem.
There have been several complaints in relation to your service so I am sure this issue will be reviewed shortly.
The response was highlighted by Dublin city Green Party councillor Ciaran Cuffe, who said that overcrowding is “clearly an issue” on Irish Rail trains.
“It is clearly an issue and I think it can be difficult for commuters to get a seat or space on some trains in the morning,” he said. “And yet the government seems to be focusing on roads rather than public transport in their funding priorities.
I would appeal to Minister Ross and the government to give public transport the funding it deserves.
There are numerous complaints around overcrowding on various Irish Rail routes at peak times. Last year, Irish MEP Marian Harkin took to Twitter to complain about overcrowding on the Sligo to Dublin train, describing it as “not safe”.
Other passengers have also taken issue with overcrowding on the route in the past. The train stops at Maynooth university and is a busy commuter line.
Passengers on other routes – including major commuter lines in different counties – have also taken issue with overcrowding.
In response to a query from TheJournal.ie, an Irish Rail spokesperson said that passenger numbers were growing and that the service was investing in expanding its fleet.
They said that the National Transport Authority was supporting of its tender to refurbish disused carriages.
The spokesperson said that funding decisions were “expected imminently” on an expansion of its existing fleet.
“We are seeing growth and will need the investment [from government] but we believe the investment is there,” the spokesperson said.
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“Roll up and see for yourselves how copy and paste works in journalism!”
@James Groden: watch as we delete all comments that don’t agree with our opinion and in some cases don’t allow comments at all!
Watch as we slightly reword Government press releases on various subjects where the public are told to get back in our boxes and do what we’re told and then turn the comment section off, because we don’t don’t want any dissenting voices.
Watch as we shut down the comment section when too many comments go against the narrative.. Breaking News! “Ten People killed in overnight raids in Gaza” Yea shut down comments on that one, as we don’t want People giving out about Israel.. Journalists my ar_se
In the past few weeks statements made by government Minister’s, the comment section has been closed. The taking down of comments that contain no personal or unacceptable comment but would have been critical of government have been removed. Bit hypocritical of the Journal.
@William slevin: respond to what? your mas ravings? No point. At this stage I pity you.
@establishment loyalist fascist lil joey:
I didn’t ignore it no offence I forgot about it…also its not a priority to reply to every reply you make to me which is alot…
But I think it was about the 70 year old assaulted in clare? I don’t know the circumstances of the assault but I’m guessing your employing it was done by anti mass immigration protestors….do you have proof of this? But let’s say it’s true I have no idea….I abhor violence against anyone unless its done for defensive reasons….if this 70 year old man was attacked by one of the protestors….then I would condemned such an attack as that infringes on the right of the 70 year old not to be assaulted for no reason…
So I would condemn such an attack
@William slevin: why willie and leave your mad raving influence others wrongly. Like your support for the protest in Clare….you know the one….I asked for your view of what happemed there on Sunday…and you ignored my question…..
Also you repeatedly ignore me asking you for proof of the false claim you keep making against me that I’ve incited hatred…well Where’s your proof…I want the comments and the articles where I supposedly incited hatred….
You haven’t so far because you can’t…because your a liar….
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