That's the sheer stupidity of it - 8 coaches! About 3 people standing in my carriage to Maynooth but with seats available. After Maynooth about half full, after Mullingar less than 20% seats occupied.
I can't really see how this is saving them fuel or running costs. If a 22k isn't more efficient than a 29k on long runs, then they have made a right mess of designing them and they are running 8x29ks when 4x22 would do fine.
The real solution of capacity, comfort and efficiency on the Longford commuter service would be to limit the stops of the Longford trains to Maynooth, possibly Clonsilla and Drumcondra. I would happily trade that against the loss of the 1715 and they could provision the two early morning trains using a 3-4 22k formation for the 1805.
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