Will An Upgraded South East Rail Corridor Ever Come On Track?

A letter from Irish Rail confirms older commuter-style trains are used on busy services despite comfort issues and growing demand on the route.

There's rising concern that Wicklow passengers will be left with an inferior service despite rapidly growing passenger numbers.

New information released to Wicklow Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne confirms Irish Rail is deliberately using older commuter-style trains on some peak services because they can carry more passengers.

In a letter responding to parliamentary questions (seen by East Coast FM news)  Irish Rail chief executive Mary Considine says ageing 29000 class railcars remain in use at busy times as they provide higher overall capacity when both seated and standing passengers are counted.

Rail passengers in Wicklow continually face overcrowded and lower comfort trains on the Dublin to Rosslare line, despite growing demand along the route.

Passengers travelling through Wicklow regularly complain of cramped seating, limited comfort and a lack of luggage space on journeys that can last several hours.

Irish Rail maintain most peak time users are 'predominantly daily commuters' travelling between Greystones and Gorey.  Campaigners argue the Rosslare line should be treated as a key intercity route serving Wicklow, Wexford and the wider South East.

The correspondence also confirms all stations on the line already have platforms capable of handling longer five-carriage intercity trains, contradicting previous suggestions that platform size was limiting upgrades.

The revelations are expected to increase pressure on the Government and Irish Rail over investment in the South East rail corridor.