T R A I N news HAZELHATCH WINS BEST STATION AWARD
ON IARNRÓD ÉIREANN NETWORK
JOIN IN THIS YEAR’S CYCLE AGAINST SUICIDE Patricia Bermingham from Hazelhatch & Celbridge Station (Overall Best Train Station in Ireland) and Ray Delaney from Portlaoise Station (Best Customer Service).
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azelhatch & Celbridge has been named Overall Best Train Station at the annual Iarnród Éireann Best Station Awards. The station plays a key role in the busy commuter town of Celbridge and the surrounding area. Since the opening of the Phoenix Park Cross City services in 2016, the station has become even busier. The station benefitted from a significant upgrade in recent years, but still maintains its old world charm. Customers were effusive in their praise for Patricia Bermingham, who works at the station. She was complimented for her helpfulness and friendly manner as well as her magnificent seasonal displays. Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann said: “Winning the title of Best Station in Ireland is a high honour and I congratulate Patricia Bermingham, Tony Doran and all who work so hard to give our customers a positive experience as they pass through their station every day. Our customers are the most important part of our business, so it is fitting that they should choose the winner of the Best Station Awards.” The winners are chosen by public vote, with almost 15,000 customers rating their stations as part of this year’s awards, by Customer Information, Station Appearance and Staff Helpfulness.
Munster saw Killarney win the top title. Catherine Cahill was proud to pick up the award. Thurles and Cork stations were highly commended by customers. Sligo was victorious in the Connacht category. Station Manager Mary Connolly was delighted to pick up their award. Ballyhaunis and Ballinasloe were highly commended in the category. Seapoint took the title for Best DART Station with Malahide and Blackrock highly commended by customers. In addition to regional winners, Portlaoise won a specially crafted award for Best Customer Service. As a busy commuter station, Portlaoise provides customer care of the highest standards. Customers recognised this in the voting, giving top marks to Portlaoise for customer service. Ray Delaney and all the staff at Portlaoise were commended for their excellent customer service to all those who pass through the busy station. They always have a friendly smile and a helpful word, knowing many of the customers by name.
Regional winners
In Leinster, Drogheda – a key station on the Dublin/Belfast Enterprise service – emerged victorious, with Station Manager Conor Keane leading the team to collect the award. Heuston and Carlow were highly commended in Leinster. Hazelhatch & Celbridge also collected the title of Best Commuter Station, beating off competition from Clonsilla and Donabate.
Conor Keane and David Maguire of Drogheda Station receive the Best Leinster Station award from Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Jim Meade at the company's Best Station Awards.
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Iarnród Éireann is delighted to again support this year’s Cycle against Suicide. Each year, thousands of people across the country participate in one or more stages of the event to raise awareness of mental health issues, and spreading the message that it’s ok not to feel ok, and it’s absolutely ok to seek help. The cycle will take place over 10 days from Saturday, 27 April to Monday, 6 May. There are 20 legs on the route and you can register to cycle as many of them as you like. You don’t need to be an experienced cyclist – the Cycle against Suicide supports all participants. Check out this year’s route and register today at cycleagainstsuicide.com – together, let’s break the cycle of suicide.
RECORD YEAR ON IARNRÓD ÉIREANN NETWORK Iarnród Éireann has stated that 2018 was the busiest year ever on Ireland’s rail network, with 47.9 million passenger journeys, up from the previous record of 45.5 million in 2017. There was growth in all businesses, including: Intercity – 12.4 million journeys (up 8.5%) Commuter – 14.6 million journeys (up 4.5%) DART – 20.5 million journeys (up 4.3%) Intercity growth was driven by increased traffic congestion to and from cities, and major events throughout the year including concerts, sports events and the Papal visit. DART and Commuter growth were driven by TaxSaver season ticket demand, especially outer Commuter locations such as Drogheda, Kildare and Carlow. The continued growth demonstrates the importance of investment in fleet and infrastructure under the National Development Plan, with new fleet targeted to enter service from 2021 onwards.