This article is from page 2 of the 2006-03-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE number of people travelling the train line between Ennis and Limerick went up by almost one quarter last year, according to new figures.
A total of 56,000 people used the service last year, up from 45,000 in 2004, according to the figures released by Iarnród Éireann. Passenger numbers on the Ennis to Dublin route increased by 5.7 per cent. Overall passenger numbers from Ennis last year went up by 15 per cent.
“We are very pleased with the increase in numbers. The services are doing very nicely,” said Iarnroíd Éireann’s Business Development Manager for the Mid-West, Jim Gallivan.
However, Mr Gallivan said there were no plans to double capacity by carrying out works to allow trains go in both directions at the same time.
“We will live with what we have at the moment.”
Mr Gallivan confirmed that the company had lodged a proposal with the Department of Transport to allow for the re-opening of the EnnisAthenry rail-link.
That will allow train services from Galway to Ennis, Limerick and Cork.
“We are awaiting a response and we are hopeful that work will start on the track at some stage this year,” he said.
Mr Gallivan also confirmed that the upgrading of rail facilities would take place at Ennis train station in the next two months.
Green Party councillor, Brian Meaney, welcomed that increase.
“The rail-link with Limerick has improved progressively each yeah. They need to apply the same logic to the development north of Ennis and I am concerned that there is foot-dragging from the Department of Transport over the issue.
“The recent economic report anticipating that there will be a doubling in the number of cars means that we have to look at more seriously the need for a public transport system.
Fine Gael deputy, Pat Breen said that the figures showed that the public would use good services, especially because the roads were gridlocked everywhere.
“When the new coaches are provided for the service, it will become even more attractive. This is good news and the Government must now very quickly finance the upgrading of the Ennis-Athenry line.”
The upgraded Ennis to Limerick service was opened in December 2003 after a €12 million spend over three years, in a bid to return the 24mile line to mainline standard.