Trials Of Rail Travel

Sir, - The much heralded Enterprise trains on the Dublin/ Belfast line are proving to be as unreliable as the rest of Iarnrod…

Sir, - The much heralded Enterprise trains on the Dublin/ Belfast line are proving to be as unreliable as the rest of Iarnrod Eireann's services. As someone who uses the service to commute to work in Dublin from Drogheda I have experienced constant delays, ranging from a tolerable but irritating minimum of three to five minutes to at least 15 minutes three or four times per week. In the three months that the Enterprise service has been operating not once has the crucial morning service arrived on time at Connolly Station.

Passengers do at least receive an apology for the major delays, though "points problem at Howth Junction", "signal failure at Connolly Station", "late departure of the train in front" and that illuminating oldie, "circumstances beyond our control", are becoming all too familiar refrains.

Motorists being tempted by slick Iarnrod Eireann advertising to leave their cars at home might wish to take note. Crawling towards Dublin on trains capable of doing 100 miles per hour not knowing how late you are going to be for a business appointment is just as stressful as being stuck in traffic. - Yours, etc.,

Drogheda, Co Louth.