'Not even access to water', Sligo-Leitrim senator petitions to return local train services

Despite half a decade passing since the onboard tea trolley service was withdrawn due to the COVID-19 pandemic, passengers in the north-west Irish rail routes are still without catering—despite earlier promises of its full return.

Irish Rail had pledged last year that the trolley service would be restored nationally by the end of 2024, but that deadline has passed with no action.

Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove, from the Sligo-Leitrim area, launched a petition last month urging the reintroduction of the service across the network. She has rejected the NTA’s explanation, arguing that long train journeys without access to basic refreshments are unacceptable.

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“People could be on the train for nearly four hours, especially if there are delays, and not even have access to water,” Cosgrove told Shannonaide.

The petition focuses on the Sligo to Dublin train, which it says carries a significant number of elderly people, or parents heading to medical appointments.

 “For these people, the absence of a catering cart represents a negative experience that exceeds inconvenience, and compromises the accessibility and quality of service on offer,” it continues.

While the service has resumed on certain lines around the country, the National Transport Authority (NTA) says it lacks the funding to provide catering on all local rail routes. 

The Sligo-Leitrim Senator also suggested that subsidising less profitable routes using revenue from busier lines: “If there are services on other trains, and they’re profitable, why can’t they subsidise ours?”

The campaign continues to gain support from frustrated passengers and advocacy groups calling for equal access to onboard amenities.

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