Major rise in passenger numbers at busy Mayo train station

COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLYHAUNIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (OCTOBER 22 EDITION)

Two new train services have lifted the number of passengers using Ballyhaunis train station.

In the year to date, 48,813 journeys were recorded to and from Ballyhaunis station, up from 43,065 journeys recorded in the whole of 2023, according to Irish Rail data provided to this column last year.

“This is a significant uplift in passenger journeys for this station and demonstrates the fact that the extra services have been a success and that more people than ever are travelling with us,” said an Irish Rail spokesperson.

Irish Rail added a new Westport-bound morning service in 2023 and, earlier this year, added a new Westport-Dublin service calling at Ballyhaunis in the late afternoon.

Staff at the station have indicated that take up of the new services has been strong, with commuters travelling to work embracing the new timetable.