Big news. Huge.
Life in Ireland post-pandemic has brought with it a number of changes for us to adjust to. The well-documented work from home/in office balancing act. The inevitable panic-buying of antigen tests before going home for Christmas. But one aspect we as a nation have particularly struggled with is the loss of the snacks trolley aboard Irish Rail services.
The clink of the trolley making its way through the carriages freshly stocked with sambos, teabags and Kitkats (be they display or otherwise) has become synonymous with Irish train journeys over the years, and its absence has been sorely felt in the years since the pandemic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTxWijUqpoB/
In a statement in May of last year, Iarnród Éireann announced that the
snack trolley wouldn't be returning any time soon "primarily due to the challenges in resolving staffing issues, and significant additional costs". Cut to today, and the luck of Irish commuters could be changing.
Speaking to
Today FM, Irish Rail's Barry Kenny said:
"Well, we've been working with suppliers in the market around catering.
"We're very hopeful we'll be able to confirm shortly a partial return of catering services.
"Just getting to the end of that process, it's something we're very anxious to return as we know our customers are.
"We will be hoping to have trolley services back in the relatively near future and hope to announce that shortly."
With a bitta luck, the cups of tea and miniature bottles of wine could be back in time for staycation season.
READ NEXT: 'End of an era' Louth burger spot announce closure after 20 years in business
