By Irish Rail Corporate Communications
Mr. Ciarán Cuffe (Minister of State TD) with Anthony Moran (Cycling Ireland)
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Minister of State for Sustainable Transport, Horticulture, Planning and Heritage, Mr. Ciarán Cuffe TD was joined by Anthony Moran from Cycling Ireland at Connolly Station today to launch two new initiatives for cyclists using Iarnród Éireann’s services.
For the first time cyclists are now able to take bikes onboard DARTs and Commuter trains at off-peak periods. Bikes will be carried free of charge on DART and Commuter services (including Dublin commuter and Cork commuter services) between 10.00hrs and 15.30hrs, and after 19.00hrs, Monday to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday (excluding times of major fixtures / concerts and similar events at Aviva / Croke Park).
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In addition, cyclists taking their bikes on Intercity services can now book bicycle spaces online at www.irishrail.ie for €6 per journey. This will ensure customers can plan their travel on Intercity easily and secure their bicycle space while booking their own online ticket.
Welcoming the new initiatives, Minister Cuffe said: “The Government’s National Cycling Policy puts a significant emphasis on integrating cycling and rail travel as sustainable modes of transport. Enabling cyclists to take bikes on off-peak Darts and commuter trains is another positive step toward building a strong cycling culture in Ireland”
CEO of cycling Ireland, Geoff Liffey said: “Cycling Ireland welcomes this initiative from Irish Rail and believes it will allow Cyclists to consider cycling as an alternative means of transport over longer distances achievable by using a train service for part of their journey. This service should also appeal to Cyclists who wish to take their bikes on holidays or weekend trips. This new service will further add to the continued rise of cycling in Ireland over the past number of years.”
An Iarnród Éireann spokesperson said: “Iarnród Éireann is delighted to be providing these additional services for cyclists and we hope that it promotes even more use of our services by cyclists. It will be a great opportunity for example for families at weekends to take their bicycles on our services, and visit areas that it would not have been practical to visit previously. As well as supporting national policy on developing cycling, it is also very much a business opportunity for us, with the numbers of people cycling on the rise.”
Iarnród Éireann has also undertaken an audit of bicycle parking facilities at its 142 stations around the country. This will allow improvements in facilities to be targeted at areas under served at present, and improve the accessibility of stations for cyclists, and further encourage the development of cycling.