New daily commuter line comes up roses

NEWLY crowned Rose of Tralee Aoife Kelly yesterday stood on the platform of Nenagh railway station to see off the launch of a new daily commuter train service to Limerick.

Nenagh mayor Virginia O’Dowd said: “This new service comes after four years of working at all levels with Irish Rail to give the people of Nenagh and surrounding areas the type of commuter service they deserve.”

The first train left Nenagh at 7.55am.

Ms O’Dowd said: “This service will bring many benefits, not least to those who work in Limerick, and indeed to those from Limerick who travel out to Nenagh each day. It will mean taking cars off the road, reducing our carbon footprint. It will mean people being able to go to work stress-free and in safety, but one of the biggest benefits to commuters will be the chance for tax savings on their tickets. For those who buy monthly or yearly tickets through their place of employment, they can claim their tax back on the ticket, which would amount to a considerable saving each year.”

The service also has the potential to bring tourists and day visitors to Cloughjordan, Nenagh, Birdhill/Ballina and Castleconnell. It also adds to the appeal of these areas as a place to live.

She said: “There are wider benefits to be had. For instance, the people behind the eco-village at Cloughjordan chose that location because it is on a rail line. And I am part of a group establishing cycle routes in the area, and one of the criteria for developing the town as a cycle hub under the Bord Fáilte cycling holiday incentive is having a staffed railway station. Nenagh Rail Partnership has met Ballyhoura Development to explore an inter-area project that would see cyclists travel from Nenagh to Castleconnell and then across to Kilmallock.”