Madam, – I have learned with dismay that Iarnród Éireann intends to suspend services on the Waterford-Rosslare line, due to “low passenger numbers” (Home News, April 8th).
This is a typical example of closure by stealth, whereby a timetable is introduced which precluded passenger growth by actively discouraging passengers. There is only one train per day and the returnAn service leaves Waterford at 17.20, not much good for people who finish work at 17.30! I understand that the train leaves at 17.20 to allow the crew to make the bus connection home from Rosslare.
The morning 0700 departure from Rosslare to Waterford is operated by a Waterford crew, they are sent by taxi from Waterford to Rosslare six days a week all year round at a cost of €30,000 per annum. Meanwhile, a driver living in Rosslare and a driver living in Wexford drive by car to Waterford every day for duty.
By operating the service with a local crew, €30,000 could be saved instantly. Further savings could be made by automating level-crossings and operating them from Wellingtonbridge signal cabin.
Finally, having spent money on track renewal, level-crossing facilities for staff, and refurbishment of the Barrow viaduct, the line is in better condition than for many years – and now the service is to be suspended! It seems that Iarnród Éireann has not got the capacity to take a business-like approach to a loss-making line and develop its potential. As a line serving a rural area, the levels of patronage will never be huge, but it should be possible to fill the one train that runs every day.
Strategically, the service could be developed to link up with the Western Rail Corridor and the Dublin-Cork line. This needs a long-term vision, not the “closure mentality” of Iarnród Éireann. – Yours, etc,
