Compensation offer for delayed train travellers

HUNDREDS of rail passengers who were delayed for several hours yesterday by a train breakdown are in line for compensation.

Irish Rail confirmed last night that all passengers are entitled to travel vouchers under the terms of the company’s passenger charter introduced in 1999.

Passengers travelling on three Dublin-bound trains from the south were hit by delays when the 7am Cork to Dublin train broke down.

It left Kent Station on schedule with more than 210 people on board its eight carriages. It passed through Limerick Junction on schedule but its locomotive began to lose power at about 8.30am at Grange level crossing, just south of Thurles.

The train was stopped on the tracks for more than 90 minutes while engineers tried, but failed, to fix the problem.

The 6.55am Kerry to Dublin train and the 7.50am Limerick to Dublin train were travelling behind the stalled train and were also hit by delays.

Passengers on the Cork train had to wait on board for the Limerick train to push their train in to Thurles station. Both trains crawled into Thurles station at 12.20pm. All passengers then had to wait for the Kerry train to arrive.

The Cork train passengers were transferred to the packed Limerick and Kerry trains. All trains arrived in Dublin more than three hours late.

An Iarnród Éireann spokesman apologised for the delay. He said passengers were offered free cups of tea, coffee and snacks.

Delayed passengers who want to seek compensation can fill in a form, available at ticket offices, and attach their used train ticket as proof of travel.