Press Release 24th January 2011
NEW PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS FOR RAIL TIMETABLE CHANGES INTRODUCED – WALLACE
Iarnród Éireann has announced a new process for major rail schedule revisions which will ensure that customers have a say in timetable changes before they are formally adopted.
Deputy Wallace stated “I have been in close contact with Irish Rail and in particular since the opening of the M3 Parkway/Dunboyne Railway line. I have received some positive feedback from commuters who are using the train service and who have found their overall experience to be very good.”
Deputy Wallace continued “This consultation process is an opportunity for commuters to engage with Irish Rail and make their views known on the proposed schedule revisions. This new process will give commuters more of a say in timetable changes before they are formally adopted. This new initiative is the ideal way for commuters to see the changes proposed and to provide their views on the changes and on the existing schedule issues they wish to see addressed. “
“I would urge people to take this opportunity to engage with Irish rail in this consultation process.” Deputy Wallace concluded.
The new process will see draft revisions posted online at , and provide a response form for customers to express opinions on changes proposed, or any other schedule issues they wish to see addressed. These are then examined before the final timetable is adopted.
Draft schedules are now available on and Iarnród Éireann is asking customers for their opinions on the proposed schedule over the next four weeks.
These will then be examined to identify major issues and improvements suggested by customers. Iarnród Éireann will endeavour to implement customers’ suggestions where possible. Suggested alterations which cannot be implemented at this timetable change will be retained in a database for consideration at future timetable reviews.
It would then be intended to implement the new schedules, incorporating customer feedback, by April of this year.
This new initiative is the ideal way for customers to see the changes we propose, and for us to hear our customers views on the changes, and on existing schedule issues they wish to see addressed. It will be easy to access for everybody, ensuring we get the widest possible level of feedback. We would encourage all customers on these routes to take a few minutes to look at their route and the proposed changes, and to let us know what they think – whether they are completely happy with the schedule we are proposing, or whether it creates difficulties for them.
Iarnroid Eireann advise that they will be using this process for all major schedule revisions in the future, with draft schedules for Connolly Station routes, including Intercity, DART and Commuter, to be published in the coming weeks.
While these are the more significant changes, Iarnród Éireann advises all customers on all routes to view the draft schedules, as many services will see departure time changes, or changes to stopping patterns of individual changes which may affect their journeys.