Irish Independent 18 Jan 2007

[seamus kilcock]

Reproduced from to-days Indo:

Thank God for CIE's modern train fleet

I NOTICE that Irish Rail's 'We're not there yet but we're getting there' slogan has been replaced by an even more bullish - and certainly more dubious - marketing hook.

The Irish rail fleet is now 'one of Europe's most modern'. That's all very well, but the company still can't make its trains run on time or serve its passengers with a cup of coffee on many routes. On Thursday last at 7.30am, the scheduled Heuston-Waterford train left on time. A trolley service was scheduled. There was none due to "technical reasons". Fantastic. Flash new trains but still no trolley service.

At least, however, an announcement was made. The train made two unscheduled 15-minute stops. At one stage it even reversed for at least a mile to the amusement of those on board born before 1980 and the bewilderment of our younger compatriots and tourists. Not a dicky bird from the man who had given us the technical trolley bulletin. The train arrived 30 minutes late.

The return fixture was worse. Again, not as much as a glass of water was available. The train left Waterford at 1.20, stopped in the middle of nowhere for half an hour where, again, no announcement was made.

It dragged a depressed, dispirited and exhausted bunch of formerly productive citizens back into Dublin in nice time for rush hour at 4.45, 40 minutes behind schedule.

This is a service that serves the fifth and sixth cities of this state, Kilkenny and Waterford.

It's a disgrace.