An improved economy, online value fares and the One Direction concerts in Dublin have all contributed to the return to growth in passenger numbers on the Mayo to Dublin train route, revealed Iarnród Éireann this week.
The rail company announced that passenger journeys on the route have stopped falling and have instead increased for the first time in a number of years.
Overall, journeys on the Mayo to Dublin line were up 6.4 per cent in the first six months of 2014.
In total, 228,000 passenger journeys were made in the first six months of 2014 on the Mayo to Dublin route, compared to 214,000 in the same period last year.
The €9.99 online sale that ran in January and again in April and May boosted demand on the Mayo route, with the increases continuing outside the sales period, said Iarnród Éireann
Improved economic conditions, student numbers remaining strong and event travel, including the three nights of One Direction concerts in Dublin, all contributed to increased journeys on rail routes.
Iarnród Éireann is also expecting continued growth in passenger numbers for the rest of the year, particularly with the GAA season and various festivals taking place throughout the country.
David Franks, chief executive of Iarnród Éireann, said: “Last year saw a stabilisation in passenger numbers after a number of years of decline. It is encouraging to see an increase in passenger numbers once again right across our network. Business growth will be the one of our key areas of focus in addressing the very difficult financial situation facing the company.”
