asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware (a) that widespread public dissatisfaction is felt concerning the passenger rail and bus arrangements existing between Limerick and Tralee on the Newcastle West route, and that persons arriving by other services in Limerick after 10 a.m., have no service to avail of along the route mentioned until 5.45 p.m., thus causing grave hardship, and (b) that workers travelling from the Adare area to Limerick are suffering grave hardship due to the fact that no service travels via Adare and Patrickswell to Limerick at a convenient hour, and whether, in the circumstances, he will have these matters examined with a view to securing a public service by bus and train along these routes to suit the general public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick-Tralee Transport Services.
I have made inquiries from Córas Iompair Éireann in this matter. In regard to the first part of the question, the company inform me that they are satisfied that the traffic would not justify more than two services each way daily on the route and that the present timetable has been arranged to meet the convenience of the majority of the people who use the services. In regard to the second part of the question, I am informed that the traffic is catered for by one passenger train and one bus in each direction daily. An additional service would have to be provided between these points at the time suggested by the Deputy. The company have examined the question locally and are satisfied that there would be very little traffic for such a service.
Apropos of the Minister's reply, may I point out that this service has recently been substituted for an earlier service? The bus which leaves Limerick very early and returns very late at night is most unaccommodating, particularly to the rural community. I can give convincing evidence that, owing to the late hour at which the bus returns from Tralee on occasions, there are no passengers at all. I have witnessd that myself. The service for which this service was substituted left Limerick at a reasonable time, at 10 a.m., and returned at 6 in the evening and this was most accommodating to the rural community. I would ask the Minister if he can regard this service as being accommodating to the people in general, or an economic proposition, because I have seen that bus with no passengers.
I am informed that the timetables of the services on these routes have been fixed to meet the requirements of the majority of the people travelling in that area.