Letter to the Editor
Sir: THE campaign to re-open the Galway-Limerick train line and the wider development of the Western Rail Corridor, has been a long time coming.
Now that Phase One of the line is open, however, it is important that we park the discussion about the economic viability of the line and begin to drive passengers, freight, and users to it to ensure that it becomes a vital piece of transport infrastructure for the west of the country.
It is pointless to invest so much money, time, and effort into the redevelopment of the line if we are to turn round and make short term decisions about its future based on how many people use it from the off.
We should focus on the long term goal of moving toward sustainable modes of transport and shift away from our over reliance on the private car.
That is why I am a little concerned at comments from the Department of Transport that rail lines would be closed and services suspended if there is insufficient user demand. To me, that sounds like starting-off from the wrong point.
We must do all in our power to ensure that the same fate does not befall the Western Rail Corridor, as the Waterford-Rosslare line that will shortly close due to insufficient demand.
For that reason, the clear message from the top down must be to make the best of these new lines as viable public transport options. If the will to do that is there, then passenger growth should look after itself.
The last thing we need are any more ghost train lines on our network; rather we require a positive and wholehearted commitment to making rail traffic work.
Paul Mallee, president,
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
Fitzwilliam Place
Dublin 2
Letters to Editor
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