Fears have been expressed that cutbacks in the opening hours at Iarnród Éireann booking offices at railway stations in County Mayo are to be implemented. This has been highlighted by the Fine Gael spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Michael Ring.
Dep Ring stated: “Concerned passengers have contacted me over the proposal. This proposal is not acceptable. I questioned Iarnród Éireann in relation to possible cutbacks after it was brought to my attention.”
Gerry Glynn, district manager, Iarnród Éireann, issued the following response: “As with all companies at present, we are operating in a more challenging economic environment. However, Iarnród Éireann's priority is to successfully manage our costs, while ensuring that the quality and frequency of our services are unaffected.
“I am pleased to confirm that this is the case on rail services to and from Mayo, now being operated by our new Intercity railcars. It is intended that one of the measures to generate cost savings will be significant reductions in our overtime costs. This will impact on booking office opening hours at certain off-peak times. However, customers can still purchase tickets for these trains from automatic ticket vending machines where available, or from the ticket checker on the train. In addition, should customers require assistance boarding or alighting trains, the ticket checker on board will be available to offer this assistance.”
Dep Ring concluded: “I believe this is a retrograde step. We are coming to a stage now when there will be no Iarnród Éireann personnel either at the stations or on the trains.”
