[Mark Gleeson]

James in the Independent

Commute 'a little slower' but real test still to come

IT was with a guarded optimism that James Shields reached his desk in the IFSC yesterday morning after a slightly later than usual journey from his home in Drogheda.

While the financial services professional experienced a relatively hassle-free journey into work on a coach supplied by Iarnrod Eireann, he is sceptical about how straightforward his journeys into work will be over the next three months.

Mr Shields usually leaves his home at 8.05am to cycle to Drogheda station where he picks up the 8.20am Belfast to Dublin Enterprise service, which means that he is sitting at his desk just after 9am.

Yesterday was the first day that he had to tackle the alternative arrangements following the collapse of the railway viaduct at Malahide which saw him catch a bus from the station at 8.30am and arrive in Dublin at 9.30am.

"I admit that I was expecting it to be worse than it was. I don't know whether it will be as good for all of the three months but we will have to wait and see," said Mr Shields, who is originally from the capital.

When he moved to Drogheda, one of the main reasons for picking the town was the good rail service on which he travels using a €1,600 annual ticket.

"The morning was surprisingly uneventful. The bus was from Drogheda station and came in through the port tunnel and there was a little bit of delay getting out of Drogheda with roadworks and a little bit of traffic around Swords," he said.

Test

"It wasn't too bad. I don't know whether that was a fluke. When the schools go back next week will be the real test."

Mr Shields' home time varies depending on the number of hours he has worked on a particular day.

He left his office yesterday evening at 7pm, arriving in Drogheda at 8pm. After his cycle home he arrived at his house at 8.10pm.

"I quite often get the Enterprise at 7pm but this evening, I got the bus at 7pm and arrived in Drogheda at 8pm. It is a little slower than the train but with all things considered, I can't complain. It normally takes 40 minutes on the Enterprise so 20 minutes was added to my journey.

"The first day hasn't affected me too much. It is a little bit of extra time travelling. If it goes as smoothly as today for the next few weeks, I won't be too worried," he said.

Mr Shields' hours are flexible but he said to ensure he meets the hours required, he "might have to look at getting an earlier bus to be in work on time".

"There are plenty of buses available this week but I am concerned about availability next week when the schools are back," he added.

- Shane Hickey

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...e-1868292.html