Green Party leader and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan recently published a multibillion euro all-island strategy, up to 2050, which he said would usher in a “new age of rail” and potentially double the number of people travelling by train.
The All-Island Strategic Rail Review aims to transform Ireland’s rail system through electrification, faster speeds, improved frequency, and new routes for people and freight.
It envisages increasing the frequency to at least an hourly service between major cities as well as improving line speeds on various parts of the network.
The review recommends the upgrade of Limerick Junction and the Limerick Junction to Waterford line. It recommends that the Western rail corridor railway between Claremorris and Athenry be reinstated, and that services be extended into Tyrone, Derry and Donegal.
New BusConnects routes pushed back until January due to risk of Christmas confusion
Homes should be built above Donnybrook and Ringsend bus garages, Eamon Ryan says
The Irish Times view on managing city streets: bus corridors must have priority
No mandate for new charges for motorists ‘at this stage’ of current Government, says Harris
However the proposals resulted in a war of words between the Green Party and its two Coalition partners. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he believed the plan actually further “makes the case” for a greater level of investment in road projects given the projections under the strategy for the proportion of passengers and freight that would be carried by rail, rising to 6 per cent and 10 per cent respectively, were modest.
The Fine Gael leader’s comments sparked a backlash in the Green ranks, with one source asking: “do these f***ers not read the news? Do they not see that the world is burning?”
So what do you think about the future of rail travel in Ireland? Can the plan finally reinvigorate rail use in Ireland? Do you think we should also be building more roads? Would you change your travel habits if rail transport were better? What are the key changes you would like to be introduced for rail services? Do you think the rail plan will happen or will it gather dust on a shelf?
Tell us what you think using the form below.
Please limit your submissions to 400 words or less. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please indicate this in your submission – we will keep your name and contact details confidential. It is important to include a phone number to help us quickly verify your contribution.
We will curate a selection of submissions for an article but please note we may not publish every submission we receive.