All aboard as Ireland makes tracks

WHEN Willie O’Connor got everyone on the mid-afternoon Cork train he breathed a sigh of relief.

Mr O'Connor is InterCity passenger services manager at Dublin's Heuston Station and plays a leading role in ensuring that no-one is left behind.

He was pleased with the 3.20pm train to Cork because it was a strong indicator of how the rest of the evening would go.

But it was no easy task. He had to take about 40 people off the 4.30pm train to Waterford and then prioritise those passengers still wanting to travel for the next train.

"We got everyone on a train to where they wanted to go, whether or not they had a ticket. Some had to wait a bit, but no-one was left behind," he said last night.

Mr O'Connor also kept a cool head throughout the day. Why should he panic, he asked, when the business of getting everyone on the trains had been carefully planned?

He already knew from his colleagues in provincial stations around the country that trains would be carrying around 14,000 to Heuston, and reckoned they would be taking around 15,000 out of the station.

He was also ensuring that no-one got too fussed about the situation, and that those who had tickets knew they would be first to board in any event.

Even in the middle of peak travel time, when the queues were snaking along the platform, Mr O'Connor was quietly confident.

"I would be surprised if we did not get everyone on board," he said.

He knew that if he got everyone on the 7.30pm train to Cork he was home and dry and he did.

But it was tough going for the people who came to queue, ticket or no ticket. It was hot and stuffy, and most had to wait for at least an hour.

Meanwhile, Bus Éireann said they did not experience any significant change on what was their busiest day of the week.

Some routes were busier than usual and some were quieter. No-one was left behind.

The company operates a fleet of over 670 buses, supplemented by 150 hired vehicles at peak travel times to cater for all of its passengers.

Dublin Bus had their normal passenger complement at peak travel times and were giving priority to passengers with pre-paid tickets.