NEWBRIDGE TRAIN STATION
While I was waiting for the train a fellow passenger provided me with an interesting story associated with Newbridge station. On my return home I checked to see if the story was true and found a variety of accounts online.
The Minister’s Train Misadventure: A Newbridge Rail Comedy
In a moment of pure farce, Minister for Transport Brian Cowen found himself stranded on the platform at Newbridge Station during the very launch of the new commuter rail service. He had just stepped off the train, ready to cut the ceremonial ribbon, when the doors slid shut and the train departed, leaving the bewildered minister and his entourage behind.
Frantic calls were made on those then-novel, not very user-friendly mobile phones, while a resourceful local garage owner came to the rescue, offering the Minister a lift in his Nissan Micra to chase the runaway train to Sallins, where a celebratory lunch awaited.
According to all accounts, the Minister arrived before the soup went cold, but this amusing mishap couldn't overshadow the significance of that day in May 1994. The launch of the dedicated commuter service on the Kildare to Dublin Heuston route marked a turning point for the county.
As towns like Newbridge and Naas expanded with suburban housing, traffic congestion on the roads had become unbearable. The new rail service, branded "the Arrow", with its refurbished stations and innovative Japanese railcars, promised relief. The closed stations at Sallins and Hazelhatch were reopened, with Naas and Celbridge added to their signage to attract commuters from nearby towns.
The Arrow proved an instant hit, offering frequent services from early morning to late evening. However, the sudden popularity also exposed some growing pains. Sallins station's access roads, designed for horse-drawn carriages, struggled to cope with the influx of cars, and there were complaints about ticket pricing discrepancies.
Despite these initial hiccups, the new rail service transformed life for many in mid-Kildare. It allowed people to live in the county while working in the city, a fact not lost on auctioneers who featured the distinctive Arrow trains in their brochures. Sallins, in particular, experienced rapid growth, evolving from a village into a thriving commuter town.
BUS STOP 2068
ON THE STILLORGAN ROAD
BUS STOP 2068
Stillorgan Road is a major thoroughfare connecting Dublin city centre to the southern suburbs. It's characterised by a mix of residential housing, businesses, and some green spaces.
Public Transport: The area is generally well-served by public transport, with several bus routes and the Luas Green Line running nearby. This makes it relatively easy to access various parts of Dublin from this location.
Dublin Bus: Several bus routes likely operate along Stillorgan Road, providing connections to different parts of the city. You can use the Dublin Bus website or app (Real Time Information) to check specific routes, timetables and real-time bus arrival information for Stop 2068 once you know its exact location.
Luas: The closest Luas stop is Stillorgan, which is on the Green Line but be aware that it is some distance away and not really a practical option. You can take the S6 bus to Taney Park and then walk the short distance to the Dundrum Luas Tram stop. The bus ride is about 35 minutes.
Development of the Dublin BusConnects Network, with a Focus on the Southern Orbitals
The Dublin BusConnects network aims to revolutionise Dublin's bus system, delivering faster, more frequent, and more dependable services. It involves implementing high-frequency spines, introducing new orbital and radial routes, and upgrading infrastructure.
Southern Orbitals
A vital part of the BusConnects network, the Southern Orbitals establish east-west connections across the southern part of Dublin. These routes were launched on November 26, 2023, as part of Phase 5B of the network redesign.
Corrected Southern Orbital Routes and Service Areas:
S2: Connects Heuston Station with St. James's Hospital, Rialto, Sundrive Road, Kimmage, Rathmines, Ranelagh, Ballsbridge, Sandymount, and Poolbeg (Sean Moore Road). (Operated by Dublin Bus)
S4: Connects Liffey Valley Shopping Centre with Ballyfermot, Crumlin Hospital, Terenure, and UCD. (Operated by Go-Ahead Ireland)
S6: Connects Blackrock Station with Ballsbridge, Ranelagh, Rathmines, Harold's Cross, and Heuston Station. (Operated by Go-Ahead Ireland)
S8: Connects Tallaght (The Square) with Templeogue, Terenure, Rathgar, Rathmines, Ranelagh, and the City Centre (terminating at Merrion Sq). (Operated by Go-Ahead Ireland)
L25: Connects Dundrum Luas Station with Goatstown, Stillorgan, Foxrock, Cabinteely, and Dún Laoghaire Station. (Operated by Dublin Bus)
This route provides a vital local link between Dundrum and Dún Laoghaire, serving several residential areas and key destinations along the way.
Additional Notes:
These routes typically operate every 10-15 minutes during peak times and slightly less frequently at other times.
The introduction of the Southern Orbitals led to the discontinuation of some legacy orbital routes (17, 18, 75/a, 76/a, and 175) to streamline the network.
The Southern Orbitals, alongside other improvements in Phase 5B, have substantially increased the bus service kilometers in the areas they serve.
Real-time information and journey planning tools are accessible on the Transport for Ireland (TFI) website and app to aid passengers in navigating the new network.
Overall, the Southern Orbitals signify a considerable enhancement to Dublin's bus network, providing improved connectivity and frequency for communities in the southern part of the city.
Public Transport: The area is generally well-served by public transport, with several bus routes and the Luas Green Line running nearby. This makes it relatively easy to access various parts of Dublin from this location.
Dublin Bus: Several bus routes likely operate along Stillorgan Road, providing connections to different parts of the city. You can use the Dublin Bus website or app (Real Time Information) to check specific routes, timetables and real-time bus arrival information for Stop 2068 once you know its exact location.
Luas: The closest Luas stop is Stillorgan, which is on the Green Line but be aware that it is some distance away and not really a practical option. You can take the S6 bus to Taney Park and then walk the short distance to the Dundrum Luas Tram stop. The bus ride is about 35 minutes.
Development of the Dublin BusConnects Network, with a Focus on the Southern Orbitals
The Dublin BusConnects network aims to revolutionise Dublin's bus system, delivering faster, more frequent, and more dependable services. It involves implementing high-frequency spines, introducing new orbital and radial routes, and upgrading infrastructure.
Southern Orbitals
A vital part of the BusConnects network, the Southern Orbitals establish east-west connections across the southern part of Dublin. These routes were launched on November 26, 2023, as part of Phase 5B of the network redesign.
Corrected Southern Orbital Routes and Service Areas:
S2: Connects Heuston Station with St. James's Hospital, Rialto, Sundrive Road, Kimmage, Rathmines, Ranelagh, Ballsbridge, Sandymount, and Poolbeg (Sean Moore Road). (Operated by Dublin Bus)
S4: Connects Liffey Valley Shopping Centre with Ballyfermot, Crumlin Hospital, Terenure, and UCD. (Operated by Go-Ahead Ireland)
S6: Connects Blackrock Station with Ballsbridge, Ranelagh, Rathmines, Harold's Cross, and Heuston Station. (Operated by Go-Ahead Ireland)
S8: Connects Tallaght (The Square) with Templeogue, Terenure, Rathgar, Rathmines, Ranelagh, and the City Centre (terminating at Merrion Sq). (Operated by Go-Ahead Ireland)
L25: Connects Dundrum Luas Station with Goatstown, Stillorgan, Foxrock, Cabinteely, and Dún Laoghaire Station. (Operated by Dublin Bus)
This route provides a vital local link between Dundrum and Dún Laoghaire, serving several residential areas and key destinations along the way.
Additional Notes:
These routes typically operate every 10-15 minutes during peak times and slightly less frequently at other times.
The introduction of the Southern Orbitals led to the discontinuation of some legacy orbital routes (17, 18, 75/a, 76/a, and 175) to streamline the network.
The Southern Orbitals, alongside other improvements in Phase 5B, have substantially increased the bus service kilometers in the areas they serve.
Real-time information and journey planning tools are accessible on the Transport for Ireland (TFI) website and app to aid passengers in navigating the new network.
Overall, the Southern Orbitals signify a considerable enhancement to Dublin's bus network, providing improved connectivity and frequency for communities in the southern part of the city.
MAYNOOTH RAILWAY STATION
AT DUKE'S HARBOUR
DUKES HARBOUR
Maynooth train station is situated directly on the south bank of the Royal Canal, opposite Dukes' Harbour, serving as a vital transportation hub for commuters and visitors alike. Access to Maynooth is provided by either the footbridge to the west, which leads to the Main Street of Maynooth; west along the canal walk to residential areas of the town, or via the road bridges to the east, which lead north to the older part of Maynooth, or south to the newer areas.
The proximity of the train station to the Royal Canal offers passengers picturesque views and opportunities for leisurely walks or cycling along the towpath. This scenic location enhances the overall travel experience and contributes to Maynooth's appeal as a desirable place to live and visit.
There have been ongoing discussions and plans to improve the train service to Maynooth, including increasing the frequency of trains, upgrading the station facilities, and enhancing accessibility. These improvements aim to accommodate the growing population in Maynooth and surrounding areas, as well as encourage sustainable transportation options.
One notable project in the vicinity is the construction of Pelletstown train station between Ashtown and Broombridge on the Maynooth line. This new station, opened in 2021, aims to alleviate congestion and improve connectivity for residents in the northwest of Dublin. While not directly in Maynooth, this development demonstrates a commitment to enhancing rail infrastructure in the region.
The proximity of the train station to the Royal Canal offers passengers picturesque views and opportunities for leisurely walks or cycling along the towpath. This scenic location enhances the overall travel experience and contributes to Maynooth's appeal as a desirable place to live and visit.
There have been ongoing discussions and plans to improve the train service to Maynooth, including increasing the frequency of trains, upgrading the station facilities, and enhancing accessibility. These improvements aim to accommodate the growing population in Maynooth and surrounding areas, as well as encourage sustainable transportation options.
One notable project in the vicinity is the construction of Pelletstown train station between Ashtown and Broombridge on the Maynooth line. This new station, opened in 2021, aims to alleviate congestion and improve connectivity for residents in the northwest of Dublin. While not directly in Maynooth, this development demonstrates a commitment to enhancing rail infrastructure in the region.
MAYNOOTH TRAIN
TRAIN FAILED TO ARRIVE AT BROOMBRIDGE
BROOMBRIDGE STATION
BROOMBRIDGE LUAS TRAM STOP AND IRISH RAIL STATION [THE SCHEDULED TRAINS DID NOT ARRIVE]
Since the beginning of the year I made a number of attempts to travel to Maynooth by train and failed due to a variety of problems which I will not discuss in detail.
Today [31 July 2024]I got the LUAS tram to Broombridge and on arriving at the Train Station I was surprised to see a huge number of people on the platform awaiting the train to Maynooth. A person that I knew showed me the following on his iPhone: "Maynooth Commuter services and Connolly/Sligo services are currently suspended through Broombridge station due to a mechanical issue onboard a train at Broombridge. The 09:05 Sligo/Connolly service is serving Maynooth commuter stations towards Connolly due to cancelled services." plus "The 12:10 Maynooth/Connolly service has been cancelled due to a mechanical issue on a train at Broomsbridge. Update to follow - MH". "
The stark contrast between the well-maintained Broombridge LUAS tram terminus and the neglected Irish Rail station has long been a source of frustration for commuters. The lack of real-time signage, faulty ticket machines, and visible signs of vandalism create a negative impression of the station and raise concerns about its management.
This neglect is particularly puzzling given Broombridge's strategic importance as an interchange between the LUAS and Irish Rail services. Its location in a growing residential area with increasing passenger numbers should warrant better attention and investment.
Irish Rail's apparent undervaluing of Broombridge station may stem from several factors:
Prioritisation of larger stations: Irish Rail may prioritise resources and investment in larger, busier stations, leaving smaller stations like Broombridge neglected.
Financial constraints: Limited budgets may restrict the funds available for station maintenance and upgrades, particularly at less prominent locations.
Operational challenges: The mechanical issue mentioned in the service disruption notice highlights the potential operational challenges faced by Irish Rail, which can divert resources away from station maintenance.
Anti-social behaviour: The presence of vandalism suggests that anti-social behaviour may be an ongoing issue, requiring additional resources to address and deter.
However, there is hope for improvement. The recently announced plan to enhance the Dublin-Maynooth service and introduce Sligo service stops at Broombridge could be a turning point. This plan signals a recognition of Broombridge's growing importance and potential for increased passenger numbers. The proposed improvements aim to address some of the existing issues, including:
Increased service frequency: More frequent trains on the Dublin-Maynooth line would provide commuters with greater flexibility and convenience.
Sligo service integration: Extending the Sligo service to include Broombridge would enhance connectivity for passengers travelling to and from the northwest.
Station upgrades: While not explicitly mentioned, it's hoped that the plan will include improvements to the station's facilities, such as real-time signage, better ticket machines, and enhanced security measures to deter vandalism.
The successful implementation of this plan could transform Broombridge station into a more welcoming and functional transport hub, benefitting both local residents and those travelling from further afield.
It remains to be seen how quickly these improvements will be implemented and whether they will fully address the existing issues. However, the announcement of the plan is a positive step, offering a glimmer of hope for a much-needed upgrade to this vital interchange.
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