Republic’s rail passengers face further year without catering

Rail passengers face another year without on-board catering on intercity trains within the Republic, Iarnród Éireann said on Monday.

The State-owned company told passengers that it had been unable to agree a new deal with contractor Railgourmet, which provided bars, snacks, coffees and a trolley service on intercity journeys in the Republic.

“We will quickly commence the process to tender for a new catering contract,” Iarnród Éireann said.

“However this will mean that catering services are unlikely to be available on board until at least early 2023.”

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Corporate Catering Services continues to “operate on a limited basis” on the Dublin-Belfast route, the company confirmed.

Iarnród Éireann halted on-board catering when Covid-19 struck in 2020. Railgourmet bars on its intercity trains remained shut after the company axed mandatory virus precautions in February.

Staff problems and extra costs left Railgourmet unable to resume services, the train operator said.

The pair agreed to end the contract, so catering did not resume on Dublin- Cork, Galway, Limerick and other intercity routes.