Fianna Fáil candidate for Midlands-North-West Brendan Smith TD has said Kildare commuters face years on over subscribed trains as it emerges no new carriages are on order or have been bought in the past three years.
Speaking ahead of a visit to Kildare tomorrow, Deputy Smith said, “It is disgraceful that hard working people in Newbridge, Sallins, Hazelhatch and Celbridge all have to stand on trains and squeeze in find a spot at peak times. The capacity on these trains is far below the numbers now travelling on Irish Rail trains. I know from speaking with my family members in Kildare just how badly the service has become.
“This is a fine example of the Minister for Transport’s hands-off attitude. Our Independent Minister is more interested in his own constituency rather than the national transport links he is responsible for.
“Like-wise, parking facilities in Sallins and Maynooth leave a lot to be desired. Most mornings commuters need to arrive before 7am if they want to get a parking space. This is no way to treat a work force commuting to Dublin working long, hard hours.
“The government appears to have no interest in our rail network. If fortunate to be elected to the European Parliament I will work with our colleagues in the European Commission who are committed to developing rail infrastructure to deliver an improved transport service for Kildare commuters,” concluded Deputy Smith.
