Cork rail commuters complain of being 'packed in' on Cork-Midleton trains due to lack of carriages

There is often standing room only, with just two carriages at peak times, and no space for bicycles or e-scooters for workers who need them to access outlying parts of the city, councillors told

Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Mulcahy said in recent weeks he had been 'inundated' with complaints from people using the Cork-Midleton service.

Just two carriages are regularly being put on the Cork-Midleton railway at peak times, with commuters struggling to get on board, it has been claimed.

There is often standing room only and no space for bicycles or e-scooters for workers who need them to access outlying parts of the industrial hub in Little Island or go from Kent Station in the city to Munster Technological University.

County councillors representing the East Cork Municipal District are to write to Irish Rail highlighting the deficiencies in the service.

It will also be told it needs to expand its car parks along the commuter line.

Social Democrats councillor Eamon Horgan said it was unacceptable that Irish Rail was putting on just two carriages when there should be at least four.

He said he was constantly getting complaints from constituents about this, and the fact there is no space for bicycles and e-scooters, which people need to get across the city as the bus service there can be so unreliable.

“This is putting restrictions on what should be a sustainable mode of transport. They also need to be contacted about not having enough parking at the train stations in Carrigtwohill, Glounthaune and Little Island,” he added.

The car park in Little Island is constantly packed, and commuters are using a nearby recycling centre. Glounthaune is also too small, and many drivers are parking on the road outside it.

“There’s not even standing room available on the train some mornings. People are packed in. It could be a health and safety issue,” Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Mulcahy said.

Mr Mulcahy said in recent weeks he had also been “inundated” with complaints from people using the service. He said he had spoken with Irish Rail staff, who had told him there was a general lack of carriages around the country and not just on the Midleton service.

Municipal district officer Susan Hegarty, who said she regularly used the service, agreed with councillors about the deficiencies. She said the local authority would write to the company asking it to rectify the problems.