Sir, – As a person who uses a wheelchair to get around, I was curious to see how Canada’s rail system would contrast with the Irish rail network. For the past week I have had the pleasure of using this method of transport to travel around the Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Quebec. I must say that Irish Rail could learn from the Canadian way.
In recent times I have travelled a lot with Irish Rail. This could be described as a challenge, to say the least. When you enter an Irish train station you need to be inspired to be able to find a member of staff who can assist you. In comparison, in Canadian railway stations there are designated “red cap” assistance points, where staff wait to assist you.
If you manage to navigate your way through the crowds waiting to board Irish Rail you may acquire a seat in an appropriate area if you are lucky enough to be aboard before this seat has been occupied by others or by their suitcases. If you are particularly unfortunate you may have to endure the commuter train for long distance travel! By contrast back on Canada’s Via Rail you are pre-boarded to reserved seating.
In my experience, it is the exception rather than the norm that an Irish Rail staff member is waiting to assist you to disembark the train. I have waited 30 minutes on the train for a staff member to come with a ramp so I could disembark. In Canada the reliable “red caps” are waiting when I arrive.
Bringing Irish Rail up to standards of international excellence would not pose great cost to the company – the simple solution is to increase the level of signage of assistance points around Irish train stations and provide appropriate disability awareness training for Irish Rail staff. – Yours, etc,