Thurles Information » Rail

Closure Of Ballybrophy Rail Link Rumoured

George — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:21:11 +0000

Iarnród Éireann is expected, shortly, to seek formal permission to close their services on the Limerick to Ballybrophy Rail line, well that is according to supporters of this transport route.

Rumours abound today, that Iarnród Éireann has informed the Department of Transport that it it considering the closure of this rail line, which also serves as a commuter service between Nenagh Co Tipperary and County Limerick. The closure is expected to be sought, due to unsustainable low passenger numbers.

Thurles.Info is aware that the National Transport Authority Board were informed, towards the middle of last year, that Iarnród Éireann had informed the Minister for Transport of their intention to seek closure of some of their less used rail lines. A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann refused to either confirm or deny that they have any proposals to suspend this services, stating that the profitability of all transport routes are regularly under review.

Nenagh Rail Partnership Group yesterday said it was concerned about the railway lines long term future. Currently people from Nenagh are driving to Thurles, daily, to catch trains to Dublin, and Iarnród Éireann claim that operating a service to Nenagh is often a waste of fuel, admitting that their scheduled services between Limerick and Nenagh are often cancelled, with the train returning to Colbert Station in Limerick, due to being empty of all passengers, having reached stations at Castleconnell and Birdhill. Official figures show that a total of only 14,000 people travelled on this line between January and August 2011, a daily average of just 55 passengers

The Government has also confirmed that very necessary austerity measures are likely to result in high reductions to public transport services over the coming years, and the Iarnród Éireann group is to have its annual subvention cut by €21m next year, from €263m to €242m, with further cuts expected in 2013 and 2014.

Nenagh Rail Partnership Group are justifiable worried about the continuation of this rail services between Limerick and Ballybrophy and admit that the opening the the new M7 motorway had presented very strong competition for all rail commuters, however the latter now claim that the line’s future is hugely important to developing much needed tourism in this area and should continue to be financed from the public purse.

North Tipp Labour TD Mr Allen Kelly, according to The Irish Independent Newspaper dated September 26th 2011, put “considerable pressure” on Iarnrod Eireann for a train to bring more than 150 north Tipperary fans from here, his constituency, to Dublin for the All-Ireland senior hurling final on September 4th, which Kilkenny won 2-17 to 1-16 over Tipperary. The junior Minister with responsibility for Public Transport, Tourism & Sport, then refused to respond to the report.

Rumours, if confirmed, will be seen as yet another attack on residents of rural Ireland.

Last year the National Transport Authority approved Iarnród Éireann’s decision to cease services on the Waterford-Rosslare route on similar grounds.

All Ireland Hurling Final Special Rail Service

George — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:15:29 +0000

Iarnród Éireann have announced a special return service for Tipperary supporters, travelling from Birdhill to Dublin for the All Ireland Hurling Final on Sunday 4th September.

Irish Rail

This special service departs from Birdhill at 09:00hrs serving Nenagh 09:33hrs and Roscrea 10:12hrs, arriving to Heuston station at 12:01hrs. This train returns from Heuston at 20:00hrs. There are limited seats available on this service, thus customers are advised to book early to avoid any disappointment.

To avail of this service, Telephone 1850 366 222 or click here to book on line. Cost – Adults from €29.5 – Children from €15

The following special trains will also operate :-

08.40 Waterford to Dublin Heuston.
19.15 Dublin Heuston to Waterford.
07.45 Cork to Dublin Heuston.
09.10 Limerick to Dublin Heuston.
18.50 Dublin Heuston to Limerick Junction.

Click here to book the above services now, as well as regular services.

Please note:
17.40 Heuston to Waterford train is deferred to 18.20.
18.00 Heuston to Cork train is deferred to 18.15.

Extra Trains & Cheap Fares For Sunday’s Hurling Fans

George — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:14:01 +0000

Thurles Railway Station

Iarnrod Eireann, in anticipation of Limerick hurling fans continuing support, are putting on additional train services to Thurles for the qualifier against Dublin. These trains are in addition to regular train services offered between Limerick, Charleville and Limerick Junction to Thurles.

Travelling supporters from Limerick will have a choice of three direct services to Thurles at starting at 10.35am, 11.40am and 12.35pm, while supporters from West Limerick can avail of services from Charleville at 11.09am and 11.40am. Latter will stop at Limerick Junction. Return services will also allow supporters to decide their choice of returning home after the first match, facilitating those who wish to stay on to enjoy the second quarter final between Galway and Waterford.

Iarnrod Eireann are also offering a special discounted online fare for advance bookings for travelling supporters to these matches, with a discounted fare of €18.50 from Limerick and Charleville for adults and half price fares for children under 16.

This can be seen as a significant reduction on their regular normal return fare, which usually costs €25.30.

Tipperary Trucker Injured In Wales

George — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:17:25 +0000

Accident site in Wales

Calls for clearer warning signs come, following an accident involving a Tipperary truck driver who smashed into a railway bridge yesterday in Wales.

The lorry owned by Carey Glass International, latter based in Nenagh County Tipperary and Salford, Manchester, crashed just off Ffordd Penamser, one mile from Porthmadog at approximately 8.20am.

The driver was injured when the lorry got wedged under a 13ft 3ins high railway bridge. Local Firefighters removed the top canopy from the vehicle to release the lorry and clear the roadway.

Network Rail inspectors examined the bridge at 9.00am and reported same to be safe, leaving train services on the Cambrian Coast line unaffected by the incident.

Gwynedd residents were not surprised about this accident and have been expressing concerns about this low bridge now for a number of years.

Irish Rail Increase Prices In Thurles By Over 100%

George — Thu, 12 May 2011 22:11:17 +0000

Prices nationwide during April 2011 rose 3.2% higher than during April last year. This rise in personal commodity prices marks the 19th successive month of increases in inflation, with household bills being the main contributor to these increases.

Irish Rail increase ticket price by over 100%

Inflation in Ireland is at its highest level since October 2008, when inflation topped 4%. Phone, broadband and health costs rose by 4%, while electricity, gas and fuel prices were 11.8% higher and goods and services rose almost 9%.

But here in Thurles, Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) the national railway system, subsidised by the taxpayer, “beat the band,” by raising their on line train ticket prices from Thurles to Monasterevin by over 100% and not a murmur from our daily commuters. (I always knew there was no shortage of money in Thurles.)

From Thurles to Monasterevin on 16th January 2011 and prior, rail tickets booked on line cost €10 plus an extra €2 for using Laser Cards and €3 for using other major credit card. (Sure we haven’t paid the banks near enough money yet.)

On March 17th 2011 (St Patrick’s Day, Irelands National Holiday,) tickets booked on line increased in cost by 50% to €15, plus the afore mentioned charges for using Laser and Credit Cards.

On May 6th 2011 Irish Rail again (without even blushing), raised their on line booking prices for the same journey from Thurles to Monasterevin to €21.50, plus the same charges when you pay by Laser and Credit Card.

So lets do the sums:-
January 2011 Thurles to Monasterevin tickets booked on line cost €10.00 plus compulsory use of Laser card €2.00.
May 6th 2011 Thurles to Monasterevin tickets booked on line cost €21.50 plus compulsory use of Laser card €2.00.

The extra cost, to daily commuters using Irish Rail’s morning 6.10 am service, to get about their business, has now increased by €11 per day or €55 per working week, travelling one way, based on this daily fare.

One regular commuter has now choosen to stay in a Four Star En Suite Bed and breakfast in Monasterevin, which charges him just €35 and includes a full Irish Breakfast, (Not to mention an extra 1.5 hours in bed) rather than as he states ” Allow myself to be robbed in broad daylight by Irish Rail.”

Incidentally a trip from Thurles to Dublin is only €0.50 pence more expensive. These prices are obviously being charged to allay expenses for “Are you our Smartest Commuter?” Nice one Iarnród Éireann, to hell with service, the availability of broadband, a cup of coffee that doesn’t taste like slop, canteen staff that are discourteous, let’s promote getting our customers better dressed.

Still, now with TD’s using this service, people should really make a better effort with their “Makeup” in the morning.

Thurles.Info is sending a copy of this post to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Leo Varadkar T.D. and we will be posting a copy of the Ministers explanation, when same is received, (on the same day).

Bejesus isn’t email great.

Vandals Target Train Signalling Equipment

George — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 22:08:28 +0000

Irish Rail services between Heuston Dublin, Cork, Kerry and Limerick train stations are now operating almost as normal, following only minor delays, after signalling equipment was targeted by mindless vandalism overnight.

Irish Rail

There were delays of up to 45 minutes on these routes earlier, after vandals had caused a signaling fault at the Limerick and Thurles junction.

Iarnród Éireann spokeswoman, Jane Cregan stated that engineers were working to immediately rectify the situation.

Irish Rail are also warning of possible delays to Cork/Limerick/Tralee services from Monday 4th – Monday 11th April, due to essential alterations to Emly Level Crossing in the Limerick Junction/Charleville section of the network.

Iarnród Éireann regret any inconvenience this may cause, but warn that services may be delayed by 10 – 15 minutes.

Templemore Running For Best Railway Station Award

George — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 07:38:39 +0000

Templemore railway Station, near Thurles, in Co.Tipperary, has been included in the Munster areas selection for the coveted title of overall ‘Best Station.‘
The Iarnród Éireann ‘Best Station Awards’ reward excellence in customer facilities, cleanliness, innovation and customer service in the country’s 141 railway stations.
Iarnród Éireann Bosses stated: “We are delighted with the response from our customers to this competition. The Awards have been running now for 16 years and we think that it is fitting that ownership of the decision making process for them should go to our customers, who use the services.”

Blast from the past - Steam train leaves Templemore Station.

Iarnród Éireann have now just revealed the choosen finalists nationally, which are as follows!

Connacht: Claremorris, Dromod, Ballinasloe.
Leinster: Arklow, Gorey, Tullamore.
Munster: Killarney, Templemore, Cobh.
Major Station: Heuston, Dundalk, Cork.
DART: Pearse, Sandymount, Raheny.
Commuter: M3 Parkway, Donabate, Leixlip Louisa Bridge, Hazelhatch.

Voting was conducted through a text and email poll. Almost 5,000 people voted as part of the competition. Customers were asked to rate their station under the following criteria; Customer Information, Staff Appearance, Staff Helpfulness and Station Appearance.

The votes were cast in a text and online poll, during November of last year.

The final awards will be presented at a Gala ceremony at Iarnród Éireann’s training centre at Inchicore on a date which will be announced shortly.

Irish Rail – Bridge For Thurles Link Road Agreed

George — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:29:01 +0000

Thurles Chamber President Mr. Pat Hayes has welcomed the recent news that Irish Rail have given their final consent to the construction of a bridge to traverse the main Dublin – Cork railway line, which will facilitate the proposed link road between the Nenagh and Templemore roads out of Thurles town.

Mr Hayes stated:

President of Thurles Chamber Mr Pat Hayes

“This bridge when joined with the proposed new link road, the route of which is in the later phase of being finalised, would greatly help to alleviate the traffic problems currently affecting businesses in Thurles and which has driven shoppers on the outskirts of Thurles to other towns to transact their daily business.”

Mr Hayes stated that he had been given to understand that contractors had now been appointed to this bridge building project and work is expected to begin before the end of the current year.

Mr Hayes stated however that the link road project was expected to take until mid 2011 before being completed and he called on all public representatives from all political parties and the NRA to expedite progress on this project and on the long promised Thurles bypass.

Details of the finalised plans for the link road route is expected to go on public display within the coming weeks.

Reduced Train Fares For Ardscoil Match

George — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:24:07 +0000

Iarnród Éireann is providing a special reduced fare for the Ard Scoil Ris supporters travelling from Limerick to the Dr Croke cup All Ireland schools hurling final in Thurles this Saturday, April 3rd.

Still jubilant from the team’s recent historic Dr Harty Cup victory, a large local crowd is expected to travel to the match. The special reduced fare is €10 for adults and €6 for children (aged up to 15 years of age).

It is only available on the Irish Rail website and is a significant saving on the regular return fare of €24.50 for adults. This fare is valid for outward travel on the 12 noon and 12.55pm trains from Limerick, which are due to arrive into Thurles at 12.50 and 13.45pm respectively. The return is on the 5pm Thurles to Limerick service arriving back into Colbert Station Limerick at 5.48pm. Semple Stadium Thurles is just a short 10 minute walk from the train station.

Further information is available from www.irishrail.ie.

Early Morning Thurles Train Restored

George — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:05:31 +0000

CIE and its Companies

Iarnród Éireann has advised its customers that its early morning commuter service from Thurles to Dublin has been restored to its former time. The 6.55am direct Limerick to Dublin train will be advanced to leave Limerick at the earlier time of 6.35am, scheduled to arrive into Dublin at 9am.

A spokesman Iarnród Éireann stated:

“This timetable alteration is in response to requests from commuters travelling from Limerick, Thurles, Templemore and Ballybrophy to Dublin City, for a restoration of an earlier arrival into Dublin. The 6.55am service from Limerick to Dublin will now have a change at Limerick Junction and is still scheduled to arrive into Dublin at 9.15am. This alteration will give Limerick commuters an additional morning service to Dublin with a total of 17 train services available each weekday for people travelling from Limerick to Dublin.”

Full details of all train services leaving and arriving at Thurles are now available by clicking here