Numbers using rail route ‘falling short’ of predictions

PASSENGER numbers on the long-anticipated first phase of the Western Rail Corridor are falling far short of the projections made for the route.

In March of last year, the €106 million route from Ennis to Athenry — connecting Galway to Limerick by rail — was opened after years of lobbying in the west.

However, figures provided by the Department of Transport in response to a Freedom of Information request show passenger numbers between May and September last year averaged 4,800 per month.