Additional weekday trains between Gorey and Dublin

By Dan Walsh

Independent Gorey councillor Joe Sullivan is urging the Minister for Transport to consider a proposal to improve rail links between Gorey and Dublin without laying new track.

The plan would retain existing stations, signalling and rolling stock while providing longer trains during peak periods and requiring minimal capital investment.

Two trains per weekday departing Gorey at 6.30am and 7.30am and departing Dublin Connolly each evening at 4.30pm and 5.30pm and serving Gorey, Arklow and Wicklow is proposed.

Cllr Sullivan told WexfordLocal.com; “Instead of running more trains bigger trains should be used.  A current commuter train generally consists of four carriages, that has capacity for 350- 400 passengers. I would propose a train of eight carriages carrying 700 – 800 passengers.

“This would be seriously cost effective as there is no duplication of drivers, train managers access charges and scheduling. The principle additional costs are rolling stock availability, maintenance and energy consumption,” added Cllr Sulllivan.

Cllr Sullivan states that typical cost of running a car per monthly on a 5-day week working commute from Gorey to Dublin return is approximately €650 – €850. Matters to be considered are fuel, parking, motorway tolls, vehicle wear tear and depreciation.

With two trains each morning and evening with capacity of 800 seats each and an operating rate of 80% that gives a total of 1280 passengers going each way creating a total of 2560 individual journeys, giving a monthly revenue generation capacity of 1280 by €250 – €320,000 per month which equals an annual revenue return of €3.8 million. This revenue has the potential to increase if the commuter services are initially successful.

In conclusion, Cllr Sullivan said the proposal offers a practical way to improve rail transport from a rural town such as Gorey, within the capital’s commuter belt. It would make better use of existing infrastructure, increase capacity where demand is proven and support the development of a high-capacity regional commuter service.