Tipp TDs Defend Under-Utilised Railway Line

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There has been a negative response in Co Tipperary to reports that the Transport Minister Shane Ross could close the loss-making Limerick Ballybrophy line which has been found to be loss-making.

The train line runs through much of Co Tipperary and serves towns such as Birdhill, Cloughjordan, Nenagh and Roscrea.

However, a recent report found that the line is costing the taxpayer more than €550 per passenger.

Co Tipperary Labour TD and former Transport Minister Alan Kelly defended the line’s operation, saying that people in rural Ireland are entitled to services as much as those in more urbanised areas.  He went on to say that Minister Ross should be seeking investment to improve the speed and reliability of rural rail services rather than trying to find ways to shut them down.

Fianna Fail’s Jackie Cahill also told the minister to ask himself whether he has done enough to try to increase passenger numbers, before shutting the line.

Also commenting on the matter today, Damien Cassidy of the Rail Restoration Group said that he has seen the negative impact that line closures can have on towns, and does not want to see it again.