Roscommon councillor hits out at ‘unacceptable’ overcrowding on trains as  '80-100 people left standing'

A Roscommon county councillor has hit out at the “unacceptable" overcrowding on train services through the county.

Cllr Michael Holland (Ind) told the Herald he recently used the Westport train to travel from Castlerea to Dublin and found that it was already full by the time it reached Castlerea.

“I took the train on Friday, November 28th, Black Friday the 10.48 train for Dublin. About 20 passengers got on, and we found that there was no seating. There were only three carriages,” he said.

Cllr Holland said he spoke with a member of staff “who was very helpful” about the situation, and was told that more carriages could hopefully be added in Athlone.

“We got to Roscommon and 20 to 25 passengers got on. When we got to Athlone, a small number got off but a good few got on, and there were no carriages added.” Further passengers got onboard as the journey continued, and Cllr Holland estimated that between 80 to 100 people were standing, with only 210 seats available.

“It was shocking. At one stage between two carriages, there were 12 people standing. There was also only one toilet, and there was a queue for it going down one of the carriages,” he said. “There were some people sitting on the floor, sitting in the bicycle rack. It’s not acceptable. I remember going to Dublin as a teenager with my parents, and you could get a breakfast. Now you can’t even get a cup of tea.” 

Cllr Holland praised the staff but criticised Irish Rail for not putting more carriages on, especially as it is encouraging people to use public transport.

“This was Black Friday, the busiest day for shopping. There was one elderly couple standing and thankfully two students gave up their seats. But it is not acceptable in this day and age. In the event of an accident, with 80 or 100 people standing, what would happen if the train had to brake suddenly? Also only one toilet for almost 300 people?” Cllr Holland, who also gave up his seat, said that if a bus or car was overcrowded, the driver or owner could be prosecuted.

When contacted, Irish Rail said that the service is a three-piece train.

“It is extremely busy, but unfortunately, we do not have more capacity available as all of our rolling stock is in use,” she said.

“We did operate a bus from all stations from Athlone to Heuston last Friday because the service was so busy and that is something we regularly do, if it is particularly busy.” Cllr Holland asked why didn’t Irish Rail announce that there were buses available in Athlone and give passengers who were standing a chance to get off.

“I saw one passenger get on in Clara, he was going to Dublin but he got off in Tullamore because it was so overcrowded,” the independent councillor said. “This is happening every day.”