The Government, Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority have been asked to urgently restore catering services on the Tralee to Dublin rail service.
Commenting on a response he received from Irish Rail in response to a question posed to the Minister for Transport, Sinn Féin Transport spokesperson an Kerry TD Pa Daly, said commuters on the service are forced to wait four long hours without any access to catering services.
“Despite assurances that issue would be resolved and a tender would be awarded in early 2024, the food trolley has yet to return. This was only ever supposed to be a temporary suspension during Covid when passenger numbers dipped.
“Passenger numbers have increased significantly since then,” Deputy Daly stated.
He said a service without any catering never meant to be the new normal.
“According to response I received from Irish Rail, little progress has been made. Although the tendering progress is supposedly in its advanced stages, the National Transport Authority has yet to reach a funding decision.
“Without a funding decision, the contract cannot be awarded and, as a result, the service remains absent,” the Kerry TD said.
He pointed out that many elderly people use this service to travel to Dublin for treatments and medical appointments and the least they can expect is to be able to buy a sandwich and a cup of tea.
“I have written to the Minster and the NTA to seek clarity on this issue and to provide a timeline for restoration.
“With three government supporting TDs representing the people of Kerry, I hope this can be resolved urgently,” Deputy Daly remarked.
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