Company to scrap FasTrack operation

IARNRÓD ÉIREANN is scrapping its FasTrack parcel operation due to the economic downturn and the logistical impracticality of the service.

The company said it had informed its customers that the service would end on March 31.

A spokesman for Iarnród Éireann said it had taken the decision on two grounds.

“In the current economic environment it was something we had to look at,” he said.

“Secondly, the whole basis for carrying parcels was an accidental by-product of the fact that on old trains there was a guard’s van, which had an open space where a generator powered the light and heat.

“On modern trains which are rail-cars there are integrated engines under each carriage and so the space can be used for passenger seating.”

He said the rail company was in discussion with a number of organisations to take over the service.

“Obviously it will not be rail-based from that point onwards. If another organisation were to take it over, it would be up to any individual customer to continue with them or not.”

Describing itself as Ireland’s largest same day national courier service, FasTrack uses Iarnród Éireann Intercity trains to take a variety of items weighting up to 50kg between cities and towns across the country.

It then employs vans to deliver the parcel to its destination address. There are 64 FasTrack depots nationwide, including a number in the North.

Iarnród Éireann said the 20 permanent staff presently employed in the service will either be redeployed or offered voluntary redundancy.