“However, it is still proving popular with commuters”.
AN average of just 16% of available seats on the Limerick to Galway rail route were booked by passengers travelling between the two cities last year. The line, which was reopened in March of 2010 at a cost of €106.5mn, has not delivered on its anticipated popularity, with just 35,000 passengers travelling between the two western cities last year.
The route which opened following vigorous campaigning by the West on Track Group, serves Limerick, Sixmilebridge, Ennis, Gort, Ardrahan, Craughwell, Athenry and Galway.
It takes an estimated two hours and 15 minutes to travel between the two cities by train and costs €32.50 for an open return and €22 for a day return.
There are five trains travelling the route daily, with a capacity for 120 passengers on each. However, an average of just 95 individuals are availing of the service in total each day.
Irish Rail has come under fire for the cost of tickets and for failing to make bookings for the route available online, although it is anticipated that this will be introduced next year.
A spokesperson for Iarnrod Eireann, Jane Cregan, told the Limerick Post that the number of passengers on the route has been ‘light’ for some time.
“However, it is still proving popular with commuters,” she said.
“Sections of the route – Limerick to Ennis, Sixmilebridge to Ennis and Athenry to Galway – are all doing well; its just the Limerick to Galway line that is not performing as well.
“It is seasonable though, so when the tourists are around numbers are up”.
Ms Cregan said that several promotions, including an offer for students, would be introduced in the hope of boosting numbers.
There has been no suggestion that the train route will cease to operate.
