Sail & Rail

[Mark Gleeson]

The ferry timetable change has been in the works for at least 5 years

[berneyarms]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

The ferry timetable change has been in the works for at least 5 years

Well whatever about that, it is quite clear that the discussions between Stena and ATW clearly were not done until the very last minute, because all of the rail schedule changes were done in a rush.

The evening train to Swansea is now an STP (Short term plan schedule) in the UK national rail system, updated weekly and will remain as such for at least 3 months.

[comcor]

That 17:55 connection from the ferry in Rosslare is still not showing on Arriva Trains Wales or The Trainline. So in effect, they are not selling any connections on from Rosslare. All journeys are routing through Holyhead, even when it makes absolutely no sense (like an 18 hour, 7 change journey from Whitland to Wexford, which can be done in under 6 hours via Rosslare).

[berneyarms]

Originally Posted by comcor

That 17:55 connection from the ferry in Rosslare is still not showing on Arriva Trains Wales or The Trainline. So in effect, they are not selling any connections on from Rosslare. All journeys are routing through Holyhead, even when it makes absolutely no sense (like an 18 hour, 7 change journey from Whitland to Wexford, which can be done in under 6 hours via Rosslare).

Given the issues that ATW had in getting the basic schedules up and running, I imagine that selling Sail/Rail beyond Rosslare in Ireland is somewhat down the pecking order but I'd imagine that it should be sorted out in due course.

That I imagine requires the commercial departments of ATW, IE and Stena to get together.

The GB National Rail website (and by default the individual train operating companies' sites) does at least now have the correct timetable for the Rosslare line loaded. The stations just need to have the Sail/Rail option via Fishguard & Rosslare added.

[comcor]

Through ticketing from Rosslare is still not possible.

Do we take this as being pat of Irish Rail's plans to run down passenger volumes on the line south of Gorey?

[berneyarms]

Originally Posted by comcor

Through ticketing from Rosslare is still not possible.

Do we take this as being pat of Irish Rail's plans to run down passenger volumes on the line south of Gorey?

I know many Irish people like conspiracy theories, but my understanding is that the fault has been entirely down to Arriva Trains Wales and the Rail Delivery Group.

Irish Rail times have finally been uploaded, so I don't know what the issue is on the part of ATW precluding sale of tickets from beyond Rosslare via the Rosslare-Fishguard crossing.

You can purchase sail/rail from Rosslare Europort online.

[Mark Gleeson]

Updates to the UK fares/times database are ugly, certain deadlines, cut offs etc

Arriva Trains Wales have to be fair been really good when we have been in contact with them.