Plans to improve train services to the West

Irish Rail has said it wants to improve and expand services on the Dublin to Westport line.

In a presentation to member of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District, Irish Rail's Regional Manager Derek Curran said 700,000 passengers had used the Dublin to Westport service last year and 300,000 so far this year, representing growth of 8% per annum.

Mr Curran said Irish Rail would like to reduce the journey time - it is currently over three hours - and to have more frequent services throughout the day. The company has 29 staff working across out of its Westport station and the first train leaves at 5.15am with the last one arriving back into Westport at 10.53pm. He said various improvements had been carried out at the station in recent years. 

In terms of trains, he said six train services run from Westport to Heuston Station in Dublin each day with five return services, plus extra trains on Fridays, while three extra services are being added on the Westport-Heuston Station route to include a connection from Ballina.

Irish Rail is also looking at increasing connections at Athlone, along the Dublin to Galway line, to include a double track, with a four-track development planned for Portarlington, all of which would enable it to offer more connections across the West.

As to why “so many people are left having to stand on the train”, he told Cllr John O’Malley that his advice was for passengers to always book a seat in advance, adding: “Trains are designed for standing so it is not a health and safety issue. We are not going to turn people away because there is no seat for you.” 

In relation to the absence of catering services, Mr Curran said Irish Rail is actively tendering for a provider of a cafe service, although he was not sure if this included the Westport train.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Peter Flynn noted that the train journey between Dublin and Cork takes two hours and 14 minutes compared to three hours and 12 minutes for the same distance from Westport to Dublin. 

“It would be lovely also if we could have people in Dublin before 9am rather than arriving after as it would make a big difference to their day.” 

Mr Curran agreed that the Westport service made stops all along the route, in contrast to the Cork early morning direct service, and said the plan is to speed up the service as much as possible with new additional tracks. 

“But you won’t get it down to two hours, that is not possible," he added.