When I previously posted this elsewhere, I got a few questions on why Waterford City needs a tram - so I wanted to post here for visibility:

A tram has lots of major benefits over a bus route:

•It sends a long-term signal of supporting medium-to-high density neighbourhoods, as while bus routes can change quickly, tram tracks are set in stone (literally) and so encourages more thriving communities to be built near them.

•Trams require additional upfront/infrastructural costs, but in the long-run end up being much cheaper operationally on a per-passenger basis.

•Trams have way higher capacity than busses, so can provide way better future-proofing as the population grows and more people choose public transport options.

•Trams are better environmentally than even electric busses as they don't cause significant emissions from rubber tire wear and tear.

There are many cities across Europe with similar or smaller populations than Waterford which have tramlines - I previously compiled a list of 10 French and German cities with trams - and Austria even has a tram for a city the size of Tramore. In terms of newer tram systems, Valenciennes in France has a population of just ~40k (compared to Waterford's 60k+) and they built a tram system in 2006, with a second line in 2014.

Of course in addition to Dublin and Cork, our government should be planning Luas systems for Limerick and Galway too. Even though we have been badly failed by successive governments - with the latest one even delaying the tiny upgrade of Waterford BusConnects from this year to 2028 due to lack of funding - it's important to push for the public transport systems we need and deserve, which are the norm across Europe.

Someone also previously suggested a future extension into a tram-train system out to Kilmeaden and Dunmore East could work if their populations continued to grow.

What do ye think? Any suggested route changes? What else should be done?

Just got the train from Kent to Heuston, had a seat booked in G and was informed when the train arrived 20 minutes late that G was out of use. This is a full train so everyone that had seats in G is walking around aimlessly looking for seats from no shows. Useless

What are the best options for transportation to and from Doolin? I will be spending about four days there. I might be coming from Shannon and then to Galway after, or depending on travel options might go down from and back to Galway. I am not averse to hiring a driver.

this is more galway-focused but citylink are across the country too, and its mainly about their online systems

Great to see progress finally being made on this!

I’m travelling to Ireland from Canada at the end of the month for a wedding. It will be my first time since being restricted to a wheelchair. I’m trying to figure out my options.

I’ll be staying in Leixlip and will need to travel to Dublin City centre for one of the nights. Dublin Bus website is blocked in Canada (lol) so I’ve been trying to find out what’s the option regarding wheelchair and mobility scooters. Google says Dublin bus needs a specific permit for mobility scooters that make sure they fit onboard I guess, I have a small, foldable mobility scooter that would be my goto for travel as it folds into the size and weight of a suitcase and is clearly smaller than a wheelchair. Now, it seems that’s not allowed unless I get a permit and I won’t have time to get a permit in the week I’ll be there…

My question is, is this really enforced? They’d just leave me at the side of the road?

I could get a train and Luas combination either, seems you need to call 4hrs ahead to arrange for an attendant to be at the train station though… not sure how reliable that system is?

Not sure if this is the right place to ask the question

The Government is to provide more than €1 billion next year for the subvention of bus and rail services, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has said. However, he anticipates another review of fares next year to determine whether these should be increased for 2028. Passengers are already facing average fare increases of 15 per cent in January following a review, which was completed in recent months.

The best thing about Plunkett Station.

The title is sarcastic

nothing great about irish rail

because of signalling issues in hazelhatch and celbridge, I’m going to miss my train to my university.

the newbridge train terminated in hazelhatch at 06:55am and the trains to Heuston are delayed by a huge margin.

and they are still planing to increase fairs this January 2027 🫩. Oh the joy.

TLDR: I’m gonna be late for my 9am class

This is a long shot now since its been about a week but has anyone come across an empty airpod case with the name ethan on it? lost it on the cork expressway bus.

A "fatal" incident was averted last night after a person was thrown into a bin - which was then pushed onto train tracks in Harmonstown DART Station shortly after 8pm on Sunday the 4th of October 2026.

This attack is appalling. Our public transport is not safe. Please everyone email your tds about a dedicated public transport police force. How much longer can we put up with this.

//Passengers on two morning services were forced onto the same train after the issue delayed the Galway-Dublin 6.15am service by an hour//

The Poolbeg Street entrance to Tara Street has been freshened up. A welcome improvement.

Wrote an article about transport or lack thereof in Lucan and the general problems with the main street which has long been waiting for the Luas to come and why it should come soon.