Rail review likely to see three north Cork stations become unmanned MOYNIHAN - ‘THIS IS ANOTHER STEP IN THE DOWNGRADING OF RURAL CORK STATIONS’
THE move to automate three train stations in north Cork has been slammed by a local TD who has described it as a “retrograde step” aimed at cutting costs, with little or no thought given to how it might impact customers.
Cork North West Fianna Fail TD Michael Moynihan made his comments after learning that Iarnród Éireann was planning to turn Charleville, Millstreet and Banteer into ‘unmanned’ stations as part of a review of its country-wide network.
He said the net affect of this decision would be the complete automation of the three stations, leaving no one to turn to should a problem arise.
“This will have an impact on all commuters, in particular those from the St Joseph’s Foundation who regularly use the station in Charleville and often require the assistance of station personnel,” said Deputy Moynihan.
“This is another step in the process of downgrading rural trains stations across Cork. What’s next? Irish Rail can dress this up as much as they like, but this is being done for one reason, and one reason only – to slash back on the cost of rail services in north Cork,” he added.
A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann confirmed to The Corkman that the company was undertaking a review of operations at stations across its entire network.
She pointed out that the revenue accrued by the company through sales from ticket offices had “markedly declined”, with 83% of sales now made online, at vending machines and though innovations such as the Leap Card.
“Though this review we are looking at the best way to provide a service to customers while minimising costs. While a final decision has yet to be made, we would anticipate that on-board services will be in place on services from this summer,” she said.
The spokesperson went on to point out that the precedent for unmanned stations already existed in Cork, with the majority of stations on the Midleton/Cobh to Cork lines having no on-site staff.
“In many ways, we will be providing a better service to customers as all of our trains will be manned with trained staff and customers will be able to buy tickets on board,” she said
“We will also have mobile teams on call to come to stations as needs demand,” she added.
Deputy Moynihan said that while cutting costs was in itself not a bad thing, the Minister for Transport must state “clearly and categorically” that he, and the government remained committed to ensuring the thee north Cork stations, which he said were important for regional connectivity, remain manned.
“This is a step in the wrong direction. If this is what we fear it is – the start of a process of downgrading – we will fight it vigorously,” he said.