With domestic tourism resuming, it is expected many Intercity and Enterprise services will sell out in advance in the coming weeks.
Irish Rail has said demand for its Intercity and Enterprise services is “extremely high” this weekend, with customers urged to book their tickets in advance.
As part of the train service’s Covid-19 safety measures, only 50% of onboard capacity is available for use.
According to Irish Rail, many trains on all routes are seeing a high level of demand across the weekend, with almost every train booked out today (Friday, 25 June) on the following routes:
- Heuston to Cork
- Heuston to Galway
- Heuston to Tralee
- Heuston to Waterford
- Heuston to Westport
- Connolly to Belfast
- Connolly to Rosslare
- Connolly to Sligo
- Galway to Heuston
- Westport to Heuston
As such, Irish Rail has reminded customers intending to travel on Intercity and Enterprise services that advance booking is “essential for travel at present”, in order to manage the reduced onboard capacity.
In a statement, the train service said: “Many services this weekend have already sold out, with more expected to in advance of departure. Customers must have a booking to travel, as tickets will not be available for sale at stations for Intercity and Enterprise services.
“This includes holders of existing tickets such as season tickets, and DSP free travel, who can reserve travel at no charge in advance under current measures.”
A spokesperson added: “With more sectors of the economy open, and particularly with domestic tourism resumed, we expect many Intercity and Enterprise services to sell out in advance over the coming weeks, and particularly at weekends, with 50% of onboard capacity available for use.
“That is why we are stressing to those who wish to travel that it is essential to book in advance, as otherwise you will not be able to travel.”
Irish Rail also noted that from 5pm on Saturday, 26 June to 9am on Sunday, 27 June, line works between Hazelhatch and Portarlington will result in bus transfers on all Intercity services to and from Heuston.
Ticket bookings and reservations are available at Irish Rail’s website.
UPDATE!!
Very high demand on Intercity routes today, many trains SOLD OUT to/from Galway, Belfast, Cork, Tralee, Waterford, Rosslare, Westport, Sligo.
Please DO NOT travel to Station without a booking, tickets will not be available for sale.
Bookings: https://t.co/r50m2431AZ pic.twitter.com/wkMrLNCaec
— Iarnród Éireann #StaySafe (@IrishRail) June 25, 2021
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