Limerick and Galway linked by rail for first time in 34 years as line reopens
LIMERICK and Galway are linked by rail for the first time in more than 30 years as Transport Minister Noel Dempsey officially re-opened part of the Western Rail corridor.
Minister Dempsey joined Irish Rail chairman Dr John Lynch, and a number of public representatives at Colbert Station to open the new service, which will operate on previously disused lines.
Although the line will not be open for public use until tomorrow, this morning's maiden journey, which commenced at 10:20, represents the first time the line - which will serve Sixmilebridge, Ennis, Gort and Athenry enroute to Galway - has been used in full for passenger services since the mid-1970s, a break of 34 years.
Speaking at Colbert station, Minister Dempsey said it is "a truly historic day for the West of Ireland," adding: "It is the longest section of track to be re-opened in the entire country and it is also the first inter-city line to be re-opened."
He also paid tribute to the groups and individuals who have lobbied for the rail line's reopening, adding: "Your support for projects such as the Western Rail Corridor is crucial."
There will be five return journeys daily from Limerick - 06:00, 09:35, 11:55, 14:15 and 18:05 - while the train will return from Galway at 06:40, 09:45, 12:10, 14:30, and 17:25.
However, there has been criticism of the new service, as the journey to Galway takes more than 30 minutes extra by rail then it does by road. Additionally, estimates have shown just 320 passengers each day will use the new line - with Irish Rail expecting to lose €2.4m a year running the service, as just 100,000 commuters make the switch from road to rail in its first five years of operation.
Labour councillor Joe Leddin, a member of the local transport committee, has admitted he is disappointed the new rail link does not include a stop in Moyross, or a spur to Shannon Airport from Sixmilebridge.
"There is massive potential for rail in this region. The Mid-Western Area Strategic Plan is being carried out at the moment by city hall. Consultants are working on where Limerick needs to be over the next 20 years and rail obviously has a huge part to play," he said.
However, Cllr Leddin dismissed criticism of the new line, saying: "I firmly believe once you put a service in place, then people will use it. When the Limerick to Ennis line opened, the same questions were asked. But now it is one of Iarnrd ireann's most profitable routes."
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Weather for Limerick
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 13 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South east
