I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 26, 31, 47 and 54 together.
While the issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), Minister Varadkar and I have been in contact with both in relation to the matters raised. Any changes to rail services provided under the PSO contract with Iarnród Éireann require the approval of the NTA. The NTA reviews on a regular basis Iarnród Éireann’s performance obligation under the PSO contract with the objective of continuously improving the delivery of rail services. Since the beginning of the Contract, performance obligation targets have either been revised upwards or reporting frequencies improved where it was considered appropriate to do so. Details of Iarnród Éireann’s performance against its targets are published at regular intervals on the NTA website. The NTA is undertaking a national rail review at present in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann. This review is due to be completed in early 2014. The aim of the review is to better match service levels and service capacity with demand for travel.
Iarnród Éireann has indicated that it is in the process of implementing new energy saving fleet utilisation initiatives on its DART and Intercity services to generate fuel savings, which will reduce fuel and maintenance costs by €3.2m per annum. Concerns about overcrowding have been raised with the Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann and I understand that the company has already responded and re-introduced larger carriages to accommodate passengers where this has been considered necessary. The Chief Executive has agreed to continuous monitoring of carriage levels on both DART and Intercity services to ensure they match passenger demand.
It should be noted that carriages were only reduced at off-peak times. Overcrowding on Dart services which has occurred at peak times was caused by other issues including technical faults, industrial relations and leaf falls.
Iarnród Éireann has stated that full loading (involving standing by passengers) is the norm internationally on urban rail systems similar to Dart and Commuter services and can be safely accommodated.
In the run-up to Christmas, Iarnród Éireann has boosted off-peak DART services from 2-carriage to 4-carriage, to cater for additional demand from Christmas shoppers and leisure travellers. The company is also operating late night services on the two weekends before Christmas and on New Year’s Eve. Specific weekend Intercity services are also being increased in size in the run-up to Christmas to address additional demand.
The Railway Safety Commission (RSC) have received an increased number of public representations relating to crowding. The RSC will be monitoring crowding levels on Intercity trains in the coming weeks and the inspections will be unannounced. They have already met with Irish Rail regarding DART services and are satisfied that corrective measures have and are being taken with regard to crowding on DART.