Irish Rail says no spare carriages to ease overcrowding on Midleton-Cork peak services

East Cork councillors have called for more carriages and earlier and later services amid concerns over growing commuter demand.

Reflections on the River Lee as the train from Midleton travels along adjacent to Lower Glanmire Road. Picture: Denis Minihane.

Irish Rail says it is aware of the high volumes of people travelling by train at peak times between Midleton and Cork City, but does not have any extra carriages to alleviate overcrowding.

The company has also not responded positively to requests to introduce earlier morning services and later weekend services for commuters travelling to and from the East Cork town.

The written response was sent to councillors representing the East Cork Municipal District after they urged the company to respond to issues raised by a number of their constituents in recent months.

The request to write to Irish Rail was made by Social Democrats councillor Eamonn Horgan and was unanimously backed by his colleagues.

Mr Horgan was not pleased with the reply, particularly as the same issues had been highlighted to the company by the council a year ago.

“The response shows that, after a year of raising concerns, there's been no meaningful progress on the day-to-day problems facing East Cork rail commuters. We're still seeing two-carriage trains operating at peak times, with passengers at times effectively “wedged” into services,” Mr Horgan said.

He said the problem only gets worse as trains from Midleton travel through Carrigtwohill, Glounthaune and Little Island, picking up more passengers on already overcrowded services.

“Commuters cannot be expected to accept this as the new normal. People need action, not another explanation of the limitations of the existing fleet. I fully recognise that major infrastructure upgrades are underway and that projects such as the Glounthaune to Midleton Twin Track are important for the future. But Government and the NTA (National Transport Authority) must ask what can be done right now to improve the experience of people who rely on public transport to get to work, school and college,” Mr Horgan said.

He maintained that “this is particularly unacceptable” at a time when the NTA is increasing public transport fares by 15%.

“If we’re serious about getting people out of cars and onto public transport, the answer cannot be higher prices combined with overcrowded trains. Public transport should be one of the most affordable and accessible options available to people,” he said.

Calls for earlier and later services

“The recent return of the schools and continued heavy traffic congestion around Midleton is forcing commuters to use public transport, we are seeing a continued rise in the demand for peak rail services. There's little standing room on the two available carriages of certain morning commuter services and a permanent additional carriage is needed immediately. At present those travelling to Cork are unable to make the first two scheduled Dublin trains each morning given the first departure at 6.15am from Midleton. In addition, a later weekend service is very much warranted with the last train running at 10.45pm,” Fine Gael councillor Rory Cocking said.

The Irish Rail statement said there is currently no spare capacity to add additional carriages to peak-time services.

The company said it was exploring the possibility of securing additional resources from the ‘National Fleet’ and that “if this becomes available, it will help it respond to increased demand during peak times”.

The letter said the NTA is expected to launch a public consultation on timetable changes in the coming months, which will provide an opportunity for the public and other stakeholders to make submissions on service improvements.