West=On=Track -News

16,000 Additional Journeys in first month of new Limerick-Galway service

News Release Friday April 30th 2010 

Iarnród Éireann has announced that an estimated 16,000 extra journeys have been made in the first month of the new Limerick-Galway rail service.

The Limerick-Galway direct scheduled service was reintroduced after a gap of 34 years on 29th March last, following an investment of euro106.5 million in the reopening of the Ennis to Athenry line.

The first month’s operations have exceeded expectations, with significant demand experienced from day one. The 16,000 passenger journeys recorded are on top of the existing 14,400 monthly journeys on the Limerick-Ennis service, meaning the through route has seen over 30,000 passenger journeys in its first month.

A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann said “this is a strong and encouraging start for this new service. While the initial interest was a great start, we are now seeing daily demand being sustained. There is little doubt that as summer approaches, new demand – in the form of domestic and overseas tourists – will also see new rail customers taking to the line. It is clear that the support which existed from the community for this line to reopen is translating into passenger demand.”

Issued by:
Corporate Communications,
Iarnród Éireann,
Connolly Station,
Dublin 1.