Plenty of train capacity to cope with numbers of cruise line passengers

In response to Fr. Frank Ryan, Prescott Street, London (Letters, May 30), Cobh is very fortunate to have a cruise terminal and a railway station located next to each other in Cobh, which research amongst cruise customers arriving in Cobh found "contributed significantly to the very high satisfaction rating amongst cruise passengers, allowing direct access between Cobh and Cork City".

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) plays a vital role in offering its rail service to commuters and cruise passengers alike between Cobh and Cork, with 23 services each way daily.

We also provide additional train services on the Cork to Cobh line, giving increased frequency and additional capacity, every time a cruise liner berths at Cobh’s cruise terminal. Extra services are planned by liaison with all stakeholders including the cruise companies.

On May 19, to which Fr Ryan refers, we provided 14 additional services to meet demand from cruise customers on the Cobh-Cork route, an increase in normal service levels of over 30%.

We implement demand management for all cruise liners, including those who have pre-booked shore excursions and those who chose not to pre-book. On some services this included standing.

However, the route is operated by commuter trains which can comfortably accommodate standing, and short journeys to and from urban areas internationally see standing at times of high demand. This would be the case in the countries of origin for cruise customers as it is in Ireland.

We look forward to another busy year on the route, and will continue to work to further improve our service to cruise passengers and regular commuters alike who benefit from the Cork-Cobh rail service.

Andrew Roche

Business Development Manager (Passenger)

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)

Kent Station

Cork