Want to see changes to rail services in Kilkenny? Now's your chance to make your case!

Irish Rail, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, are currently engaging in public consultation as they seek to improve their existing services.

The plan is to implement timetable alterations from December 10, 2023. 

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As part of this process, the company has published details of proposed timetable schedules, and invites the public to submit feedback in advance of the finalisation of the new timetables.

Here are some of the proposals for the Dublin-Waterford route that serves Kilkenny:

1) New 12:20 hrs Heuston/Carlow (Mon-Fri) and new 15:15 hrs Carlow/Heuston (Mon-Fri) services, both also serving Newbridge, Kildare and Athy.

2) 16:15hrs Heuston/Waterford (Fri Only) is advanced to 16:10 and now arrives in Waterford at 17:50hrs.

3) 09:05hrs Waterford/Heuston (Sundays) and 15:10hrs Waterford/Heuston (Sundays) will no longer serve Newbridge. Customers can change at Kildare into the new Portlaoise Commuter services which will call at Kildare 7 minutes after both Waterford services and will serve Newbridge instead.

There are also some other small timing changes across the week.

Notably, there is no proposal in these draft timetables for an earlier train arrival time from Kilkenny into Waterford City.

This is something that many local people have been calling for, particularly during weekdays and with the return of the college term.

You can see all of the proposed timetables, and provide feedback on them HERE.

Feedback is welcomed for all routes as part of this consultation, whether changes are proposed or not.

The consultation survey is open until Wednesday, September 27, 2023.