IRELAND & NORTHERN IRELAND FOCUS
New route unlocks the West’s potential
Ireland has witnessed a number of new rail infrastructure projects in recent years and the reopening of the line between the western cities of Limerick and Galway is a prime example.
Figuratively speaking
Translink NI Railways boast some of the best figures of any train operating compa- ny in the UK, given recent improvements. Northern Ireland’s rail service can point to 60-70% growth overall and is expecting another record year by the end of March 2011.
Coupled with this are punctuality rates typically hitting 95%, making the service one of the most punctual in the British Isles, garnering high levels of customer satisfaction as a result.
Translink NI Railways’ successful first tranche of new trains is indicative of the business sense in delivering more new rolling stock. Given the improvements, if there was ever a demonstration case for the impact of new trains fleets, Northern Ireland is that demonstration case.
The route had been closed for 34 years before the renewal of the Ennis-Athenry line was completed last year. The €106.5m project, delivered by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), and funded by the Irish Government through the Transport 21 subsidiary body, provides direct services between Limerick and Galway and involved the renewal of 36 miles of track and four new stations.
Speaking at the launch of the new service in March 2010, then Ireland minister for transport, Noel Dempsey, said: “This is a truly historic day for the West of Ireland because for the first time in over 30 years passenger trains will again run between Limerick and Galway. It’s the longest sec- tion of track to be re-opened in the entire country and it is also the first Inter-City line to be re-opened. Support for projects such as the Western Rail Corridor is crucial.”
And Irish Rail’s chairman, Dr John Lynch, observed: “There is tremendous public support for and interest in this new serv-
Irish Rail’s 2700 Class
ice. We are very confident that demand will easily outstrip the projections made for this service.”
The opening of the first phase of the West- ern Rail Corridor was the latest boost for west of Ireland rail services, which have seen significant development under Transport 21. As well as increased services between the West and the rest of Ireland, Irish Rail is committed to opening up rail freight throughout the country.
rail technology magazine Feb/Mar 11 | 45
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