A total of 910,000 passenger journeys were recorded on the Dublin/Limerick rail line in 2017, the highest figures ever recorded on the route. This represents a 7% increase on 2016.
The Limerick Galway route also saw a significant increase with passenger journeys jumping from 100,000 in 2016 to 134,000 in 2017. While underlying growth is strong, part of the increase relates to the line between Limerick and Ennis being closed for a number of months in 2016 due to flooding.
With improved journey times and busier road traffic, more people are opting take the train when travelling between Dublin and Limerick. In 2017, line works investment, and improvements to signalling in the Limerick Station area allowed journey time improvements to be delivered in a timetable change in December 2017.
Economic improvements, greater numbers of people in employment, and increased tourist numbers visiting the Shannon region have all contributed to the major increase in passenger numbers. The Limerick Galway line has also benefited from hugely discounted fares for students travelling between the two cities.
Nationally, passenger numbers grew to 45.5million passenger journeys, equaling 2007, which was the highest number of passenger journeys ever recorded.
Commenting on the figures, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, David Franks said: “As an organisation it is great to see our passenger numbers returning to peak levels. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and we are working hard to ensure that we can provide an even better service throughout 2018”
During 2018 Iarnród Éireann will continue invest in improving the Dublin/Cork line to further reduce journey times in the future and provide punctual, frequent and value for money transport for customers on the Dublin to Limerick, Cork and Kerry routes.
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