Calls for a number of railway stations across the midlands to be reopened were made this week after the Monasterevin train station in west Kildare reopened after 25 years. Within hours of that event on Monday, there were pleas to Iarnr≤d ╔ireann to reopen stations at Killucan and Moate in Co Westmeath.
Those behind these latest proposals could have their work cut out, however, as the campaign to get Monasterevin station reopened went on for over five years and involved the preparation of a detailed report on the necessity for a train station in the area by the Monasterevin Railway Action Committee.
Mr Edward O'Rourke, chairman of the local railway action committee, said they "kept plugging away and eventually it paid dividends".
The committee's report, presented to Public Enterprise Minister, Ms O'Rourke, found there were approximately 270 Dublin- bound commuters travelling daily from Monasterevin. Of those surveyed, 95 per cent would use the railway station if it were open.
It also found the population of the area, at about 3,000, was increasing as rising house prices in Dublin forced those in search of their own homes out to Kildare and other counties surrounding Dublin. Monasterevin, built on the east bank of the River Barrow, is just 38 miles from Dublin and the city is just now one hour away by train. Travel by road could take twice that.
Among the first commuters to use the new service on Monday was student teacher Ms Mary McConn. "For me it will mean I can leave home an hour later than I did before," she said.
Ms McConn, who attends college in Blackrock, previously had to catch the 6.50 a.m. bus or else travel to Kildare town for the train. "It is great for me and for a lot of people who have moved to the town from Dublin recently so I think it will definitely be well used."
Ms Carol Dowling is another resident who hopes to travel to college in Dublin next year and use the station daily. Without it, she would probably have to find accommodation in the city. "It used to be terrible going up on the bus with all the traffic," she said.
The new £2.5 million station, with a 50-space car park and hydraulic lifts for wheelchair- bound passengers, is served by five trains travelling to and from the city every day. It was funded by the Government under the National Development Plan and should help rejuvenate the area, according to Mr Vincent Whelan, who was also involved in the action committee.
Westmeath TD Mr Paul McGrath has now called for the reopening of Killucan railway station. He suggested it could be used by both regular commuters to Dublin and those travelling to GAA matches in Croke Park who could leave their cars at the station and make the final leg of their journeys by train. This would significantly ease traffic congestion on the N4 and assist in the commercial regeneration of the area, he said.
Senator Donie Cassidy has also called this week for the reopening of Moate railway station.
A spokeswoman for Iarnr≤d ╔ireann confirmed up to 12 railway stations had been reopened over the past decade, mainly in Dublin and outlying areas including Drumcondra, Clontarf Road, Castleknock, Clondalkin, Kilcock, Sallins and Castleconnell.
She said there were no immediate plans to reopen others.