Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Jim Meade has issued an apology to the public after a chaotic day of service on the DART.
DART services to Bray were severely impacted on July 24th, with Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Jim Meade issuing a public apology to the attendees of the Bray Air Show for the “delay, upset and distress” caused.
The railway company was forced to suspend services, when a 1.45pm Connolly/Bray train “stopped outside the station, waiting for a platform to become clear ahead. Unfortunately, doors were forced open on one of the carriages after it had been stopped for approximately 6 minutes, and a number of people descended onto the track to walk towards the station,” reads the statement.
“Immediately, trains had to be halted in both directions due to the presence of people on the track. Quite quickly, others – now concerned at the extending delay, and at the very warm conditions – also left the train, and this continued across a number of carriages. A second train – the 13:05hrs Howth to Greystones – was stopped further back towards Shankill, and after approximately 20 minutes, customers also out of concern for the delay and heat on board began to leave the train.
Bray Airshow #brayairshow #dart #irishrail pic.twitter.com/QxFDbl30QC
— Freddie Stevens (@_andStevens) July 24, 2022
While trains were unable to move during this time, staff, Gardaí and Dublin Fire Brigade were at both Bray, and travelled to the second train to assist customers. In addition, customers were assisted from two other trains in a controlled manner.
What should have been an enjoyable family day out ended for many in delay, upset and distress, including those who felt they had no option but to disembark from trains. We are sorry for this.”
Thousands of people travelled to Bray yesterday for the Air Show, a hugely popular event which returned over the weekend for the first time since before Covid.
Footage shared on social media shows dozens of people walking along the tracks, while passengers also spoke of the unbearable heat onboard, with children and babies reportedly becoming increasingly uncomfortable on the busy carriages, and some people reportedly fainting.
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“The Air Show is traditionally one of the busiest days of the year on DART, and in planning with organisers, we arranged for additional DARTs to operate,” Meade added, “ultimately, nine extra DARTs operated from the city centre to Bray on Sunday between late morning and early afternoon.”
Four main updates to the current operational plan have been identified by Iarnród Éireann:
- Demand before the event, and capacity available to customers. Notwithstanding the additional DARTs which operated, there was significant pressure on capacity reported.
- Information available to customers on board and at stations
- Response to the initial incident of detraining
- Ventilation on board
To read the full message and apology from Jim Meade, Chief Executive click here header image pratiksha.stories /Instagram.
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