Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the totally inadequate rail service which my constituents from Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Donabate, Malahide and Portmarnock are forced to use when going to and from work, college and school. The trains are overcrowded, the service is inadequate, the timetable is unsuitable and the passengers are concerned for their safety. I want action from the Government and from CIE management to provide a satisfactory rail service.
Lest the Dáil think these complaints are my view, I did a survey of rail users on Tuesday, 11 February and received a huge response which indicated the public's frustration. When asked if they felt the rail service was adequate, 79 per cent said no; if there was overcrowding on their regular train, 96 per cent replied yes; if the timetable was to their satisfaction, 71 per cent said no; if they were concerned for their safety on the trains, 60 per cent said yes. The level of concern for safety increased among passengers boarding at stations nearer the city by which stage there is only standing room left on the trains. I travel on the trains and fully understand the views of my constituents. To be fair to CIE, 82 per cent felt that the trains were generally on time; 54 per cent regarded the service as value for money and 53 per cent felt that station facilities were adequate.
The main suggestions made by my constituents to improve the rail service in north County Dublin were as follows: more carriages and trains at peak times; later trains from the city in the evenings; a Sunday train service; later trains on Saturday evenings; a proper public address system on trains and platforms; better access for the disabled; smoking bans to be enforced; improved station facilities such as public telephones, security in car parks, proper toilet facilities, automatic ticket machines and better lighting.
One issue of major concern has been expressed to me — the inability of CIE to respond to the unexpected. For example, on 18 November last an empty passenger train was derailed which meant it was not possible to run trains between Killester and Connolly station. On 21 November the 7.35 a.m. train from Dundalk failed outside Harmonstown and needed a locomotive from Pearse station. On each of these occasions the response from CIE was pathetic. On the first occasion, the bus transfer system was an abject failure and, on the second, passengers were left sitting on the train for hours due to a delay in the arrival of the promised locomotive. The least passengers are entitled to is an efficient emergency response when the unexpected occurs. CIE management should and must be properly organised and have systems in place to provide an efficient response which includes regular and accurate information.
I have been pressing CIE for a considerable period to carry out improvements to meet the expressed needs of north County Dublin rail users. It stated in response to my queries: "CIE is starved of resources...and simply cannot provide the quality transport service our customers deserve". I do not accept these excuses. CIE management has a responsibility to organise its affairs in such a manner as to meet the reasonable expectations that when a customer buys a ticket he or she will at least have a seat on a safe, clean train with proper toilet facilities.
The Government also has a responsibility in the matter. I call on the Minister to provide sufficient funding as a matter of urgency to allow CIE to purchase additional carriages and extend platforms to enable my constituents to have the service for which they are paying. I assure him and the rail users of my constituency that if he does not do so immediately, my party will in the near future.