Irish Rail passengers call for return of tea-trolley
Commuters aboard the Cork to Dublin, or Belfast train can avail of a cool drink or a salty snack - but passengers boarding any other intercity service better come prepared, because catering services have never resumed since they were suspended in 2020 during Covid.
Passengers on intercity Irish Rail services, such as those traveling from Cork to Dublin or Belfast, are demanding the return of tea-trolleys. Catering services ceased in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, leaving many commuters thirsty and hungry for hours between stops. Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove, a frequent rail user, has been advocating for the return of the tea-trolley service.
Ms. Cosgrove recently offered free water and crisps to passengers, which went viral and prompted numerous calls from across the country, particularly from regions like Mayo, Galway, and the east coast, who felt the issue was unfair.
Irish Rail spokesperson Barry Kenny stated that catering is available on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Belfast routes, but this is limited by the funding they have. Post-Covid, the costs for catering have skyrocketed, making it difficult to extend services to other routes. Kenny mentioned that they are exploring innovative solutions and working with different suppliers to find a cost-effective and commercial option.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney, confirmed that Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority (NTA) are delivering the service for the government and all options will be considered. He hinted at the possibility of installing water dispensers on trains, but noted that these would require maintenance and security measures.
Mark Gleeson, from the Rail Users Campaign, suggested that a seven-year contract to provide catering services across all train routes in the country would cost €14.7 million, but emphasized that the government is not funding this initiative. He pointed out that journeys from places like Tralee, Killarney, Westport, and Sligo to Dublin often last over three and a half hours, making it unreasonable not to have access to a cup of tea, coffee, or water during such long trips.
Kenny clarified that water is available on board for emergency situations, but a pilot program for the return of catering is expected to launch by September.
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