These Four Irish Rail Routes Could Soon Be Shut Down

Irish Rail has warned that four routes that may be pulled from service if the company cannot reach its funding target.

The Irish Independent reports that the rail company will close routes with the largest State subvention per journey, if requested funding is not provided by the Government.

A Labour Court document seen by the newspaper reportedly revealed that the State subsidy for for the Limerick to Ballybrophy route is a huge €761.60 per passenger journey, compared with just 70 cent for a journey on the DART.

Irish Rail says it could save €17.6 million a year if it shuts down the following routes:

• Limerick to Ballybrophy
• Limerick Junction to Waterford
• Ennis to Athenry (on the Limerick to Galway route) 
• Gorey to Rosslare (on the Dublin to Rosslare route)

The document also said that giving a 3.75% a year pay rise sought by staff unions would "result in an immediate financial crisis".

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