Hopes at reviving local rail line
Representatives of the National Transport Authority joined a North Tipperary Community Rail Partnership delegation at a recent council meeting, at which hopes were expressed of reviving the local rail line.
Chairperson of the rail partnership Virigina O'Dowd outlined a three-pronged campaign at the February online meeting of Nenagh Municipal District. As well as seeking a new timetable and increased train speeds on the Limerick-Ballybrophy line, the partnership is calling for the appointment of a dedicated manager to market the line.
Ms O'Dowd pointed out that line improvement works have been ongoing with 70% of the track due to be upgraded by July of this year. But train speeds have not increased, and the service has remained notoriously slow for years.
THREE RETURN TRIPS
The rail partnership wants to see a midday service introduced, increasing the number of return trips on the line from two to three. Ms O'Dowd said the extra passengers attracted by such an option would pay for the service.
The former Nenagh town councillor expressed concern over “scant mention” of the Nenagh line in Irish Rail's strategic plan up to 2027, and said there seems to be no plan for the local line “other than keeping the status quo”.
If this continues, she feared an opportunity would be lost to develop north Tipperary and provide local commuters with an enhanced level of connectivity with Limerick. Ms O'Dowd added that with the loss of Bus Éireann's Expressway service, now is an opportune time to look at rail as an alternative option.
Cllr Hughie McGrath said he had learned the potential of train services while serving with the European Committee of the Regions and had great respect for the local line. He said the line must be promoted as a connection with Limerick and spoke of previous discussions about providing a park-and-ride service at Daly's Cross.
Cllr McGrath called on the NTA to support the local partnership's campaign, saying a “proper commitment” to enhancing the line is needed, “not just lip service”.
He was one of several speakers to observe that works seem to be constantly taking place on the track and there have been numerous disruptions. Cllr Joe Hannigan welcomed the broadening of the local partnership's campaign to include neighbouring counties, and he too called on the NTA to play its part.
Cllr Ger Darcy supported the idea of a dedicated manager to market the line. He said the problems of slow speeds, unsuitable timetables and lack of co-ordination have hampered the service for years. “All we're doing at the moment is keeping it open for the sake of keeping it open,” Cllr Darcy exclaimed.
Cllr Phyll Bugler told of the amount of cars leaving Ballina and Newport for Limerick every day. A suitable rail link would take many of these commuters off the road and she wondered if EU grants might be available to upgrade the line.
RAIL REVOLUTION
Cllr Michael O'Meara pointed out that moves are afoot across Europe to introduce electric power and green travel. “There is a sea change coming,” he said. “We're going to be forced to keep this open... We're going to see a revolution in relation to rail travel.”
Cllr O'Meara regarded the requirement for passengers to change at Ballybrophy as a major deterrant on the Nenagh line. “That's the elephant in the room,” he said.
Cllr John Carroll agreed that a midday service would pay for itself. A service that connected local commuters with Limerick and the city's existing rail infrastructure would result in a welcome reduction in car miles, he said.
Cllr Fiona Bonfield said staycation tourism looks set to increase going forward and Nenagh's rail line offers great potential to attract people from Dublin and elsewhere in the country. Cllr Séamie Morris said the line could have been lost forever were it not for the defence of Ms O'Dowd's group. He said it would have to be made relevant to younger generations if it is to survive in future.
NTA SUPPORT
Tim Gaston, Director of Public Transport Service with the NTA, said the authority has statutory responsibility for Dublin but not the regional areas. However, he said the NTA is supportive of the rail partnership's campaign and has spoken to Irish Rail about it.
Mr Gaston said the midday service would depend on operational costs; Free Travel passengers would not provide income to support it. But he pointed out that the present Minister for Transport is supportive of rail services, and said the Nenagh line proposals would be further explored under the NTA's 'Connecting Ireland' study.
Michael Warnock-Smith, the NTA's Head of Public Transport Regulation, said there would be no funding to invest in the line this year due to reduced revenue streams. But he added that when the pandemic restrictions are lifted, the NTA anticipates an increase in demand from passengers exploring different means of commuting and accessing leisure activity. The meeting also heard from Hassard Stackpoole, a UK rail specialist, who said the crossings on the Ballybrophy line need to be upgraded so that they can be controlled through automation. This would reduce operational costs on the line, though the investment in the crossings - not including the track upgrade - would cost in the region of €11 million.
Ms O'Dowd said the improvements sought by the partnership would not be costly but it could be 2024 or 2025 before their potential is realised. Introduction of a midday service in the next two years is critical, she told the meeting.