Call for hourly train to Athy on Waterford to Dublin line
This photo is for illustrative purposes only
KILDARE South TD Mark Wall has called for an hourly train service to Athy Train Station through the expansion of the Waterford to Dublin Heuston train line.
The route was recently expanded with two additional round trips being added between Carlow and Heuston Train Station.
In response to a parliamentary question by Deputy Wall, Irish Rail said that expanding the route will require additional fleet and infrastructure capacity to deliver an hourly service.
Deputy Wall said: “Athy is a growing commuter town that has an overreliance on private transport. We need to increase our level of investment in public transport, particularly in rural areas where the need is greatest and growing. Irish Rail must increase the frequency of the Waterford to Dublin Heuston route, which serves Athy. This must begin with increasing the number of trains and carriages, while working towards having an hourly service.”
“With new DART+ fleets coming on stream through 2027 and 2028, the hope is that this will free up carriages for elsewhere. Commuter towns on the Waterford to Heuston line must be the first location for these additional carriages.”
“I receive daily reports and calls about the overcrowding on the current service. Government, through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Irish Rail, must expand these train services and match that ambition with the investment required.”
“The reply that I received from Irish Rail states that the introduction of additional services will be subject to demand and NTA approval.”
Mark Wall TD has created an online petition to push for this train service which can be found at the following link: https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/hourly-train-service-for-athy
“I am asking all those using Athy train station and those living in the surrounding area to sign the petition which I will bring to the NTA and the Minister for Transport. The town must future proof itself by availing of potential opportunities like this. We cannot leave rural communities like Athy behind when it comes to public transport,” he concluded.
