TRANSPORT DISRUPTION:PUBLIC TRANSPORT providers have urged passengers to travel early today as further snowfalls and freezing conditions were expected to add to the weekend rush.
Some rail services out of Dublin yesterday were crowded as large numbers of students and long-distance commuters went home early for the weekend. Iarnród Éireann expects similar crowded conditions on intercity trains this evening.
Yesterday afternoon services to Dundalk and the southeast were particularly crowded, with passengers standing with luggage in the corridors, doorways and toilets. Some passengers on the Dublin to Rosslare service became tearful due to the conditions.
Iarnród Éireann spokesman Barry Kenny said that given the difficulties with road travel “the intention is to get people home”. He said the train service was working very well in achieving this, despite a little discomfort.
He urged those planning to travel today to start their journeys as early as possible. Bus Éireann said almost all services had been running yesterday with some curtailments. The company advised passengers to travel early today to avoid crowds.
Dublin Bus said it would be out at dawn monitoring conditions and working with Dublin City Council to keep the network as open as possible. Stena Line said the Stena Express fast craft was on schedule to operate between Dún Laoghaire and Holyhead at 1.15pm today and conventional vessels from Dublin would also travel as per timetable. All Irish Ferries vessels were scheduled to run today.
Gardaí have also asked motorists in Dublin not to bring their cars into the city.
