Calls for hourly train service for Athy, Kildare

A Kildare South Labour Party TD has announced that his petition calling for an hourly train service for Athy through expanding the Waterford to Dublin Heuston train line has received almost 4,000 signatures.

Deputy Mark Wall said this week: “My petition for an hourly train service for Athy has the backing of 3,867 people, showing a clear groundswell of support for expanding train services for the town. “Athy is growing commuter town, and every morning nearly half of the working population of the town travels to work elsewhere.

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"Last year alone saw 271,516 train journeys to or from Athy. This number is only going to grow, and we can already see the impact as multiple trains are at maximum capacity, particularly those train leaving Heuston to Athy at peak hours.

“In response to my calls, Irish Rail and Minister of State Seán Canney, have said that it is hoped that with new carriages coming on stream for the DART+ in 2027 and 2028, this will free up carriages for other train lines. Given that nearly 300,000 train journeys are taking place to or from Athy, the town train station must be a priority for these additional carriages.”

Deputy Wall concluded: “This is just the beginning for our campaign. I will be soon delivering my petition with all 3,867 signatures supporting calls for an hourly train service on behalf of everyone who has supported the campaign.”