Irish Rail "missed opportunity" for Kildare South hourly train service

LOCAL calls for the delivery of an hourly train service along the Waterford to Dublin Heuston line have not been progressed under Irish Rail’s 2026 timetable consultation.

The line services towns line Athy, Kildare Town and Newbridge, where commuters have been calling for more frequent trains.

Kildare South and Labour Party TD Mark Wall has called this a “missed opportunity” after he had previously submitted a petition for an hourly train service on the Waterford train line which had nearly 4,000 signatures.

Deputy Wall said:

“I am deeply disappointed to see this consultation contains no progress towards an hourly train service for the Waterford to Dublin Heuston route. There is massive demand in growing commuter towns like Athy, Kildare Town and Newbridge for more frequent trains, along with additional carriages and earlier and later trains.

Deputy Wall explained that the National Transport Authority had informed him that while an hourly service on the line was not possible at this time, as an interim measure, it would improve the frequency of train services every two hours between Dublin and Athy, with the possibility for higher frequency trains at peak times.

“Despite this, the consultation makes no effort towards this interim solution, and it is a massive, missed opportunity for commuters in Kildare South,” he said.

Deputy Wall called on commuters to get involved in the consultation: “I am encouraging all commuters in Athy, Kildare Town, Newbridge, and others who use this train line, to take part in the consultation and show Irish Rail that Kildare South needs an hourly train service, and the first step towards this must be earlier and later trains. I also ask that people contact my office as well and share their stories on why Kildare South needs this and the difference it would make to commuters.

The recent decisions of the NTA were also criticised by Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, who said that bus and rail fares fly in the face of Ireland’s climate action objectives and take no account of the cost-of-living crisis.

Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s transport spokesperson, said:

“The NTA’s decision to hike fares by an average of 15 per cent is a retrograde step that will further discourage commuters from using public transport. It will see Transport for Ireland’s 90-minute fare for Dublin commuter services rise from €2 to €2.30, with similar price increases across the country's bus and rail network.

“With people struggling with an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis that shows no sign of easing, this is a very shortsighted move by the NTA and a slap in the face for passengers.

“Shifting people from cars to public transport is crucial if we are to have any chance of meeting our legally binding climate action targets by 2030. For this to happen, we need reliable services that are affordable.

“Not one additional bus route was provided by the NTA last year. And commuters continue to face substandard bus and rail services on a daily basis. Grievances include regular delays, painfully slow journeys, overcrowded buses or rail carriages, and prohibitive park and ride fees.”