Iarnród Éireann has said it is “unacceptable” that passengers were not informed about this morning’s suspension of services at Heuston Station.
Over 20,000 passengers were delayed after trains in and out of the station were brought to a standstill this morning.
It was due to a “major signal fault” which occurred just before 6am this morning.
The signalling system ensures trains can pass each other safely. A manual signalling system is currently in place while technicians deal with the fault.
Update: A manual signalling system is now in place. Limited services are now starting to depart Heuston.
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) May 28, 2019
The majority of services are now back up and running; however, Iarnród Éireann has warned that there will be knock-on delays as a result.
Spokesperson Barry Kenny said it is unacceptable that some passengers found out about the delays online.
“We will certainly review everything to do with this incident,” he said. “Obviously the severity of the disruption and what happened from a signalling point of view – but also the information provision right around the network.
“Our central control has been putting out information to the network and, certainly, if customers on any train were not informed, that is something that is not acceptable and we will review that.”
He said it was the “worst fault that we have experienced in quite a number of years.”
“We are still working to rectify the main fault which is in the computerised signalling system which controls all of these routes.
“So we will continue to do that; to rectify that and understand what happened obviously so we can insure that we can prevent it from happening again.”
Update: Delays remain to Intercity services
❗️Galway/Westport services: up to 90 minutes
❗️Cork, Limerick, Tralee services: up to 60 minutes
❗️Waterford services: up to 20 minutes
All other routes operating with minor knock on delays https://t.co/bfSGOSXi7U— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) May 28, 2019
During the outage, the train service said it was not possible to provide alternative transport for affected passengers due to the high number of people affected.
The issue impacted on all Intercity, Portlaoise Commuter and Newbridge/Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock services.
The rail service said DART, Commuter and Intercity services in and out of Connolly were not impacted.
The services are now running with major knock-on delays.
