Irish Rail reveals passenger numbers for Cork services; Highest figures ever recorded

A total of 3.66 million passenger journeys were recorded on the Dublin/Cork rail line in 2019, the highest ever figures recorded on the route. 

This represents a 6% increase on 2018. 

Record numbers and strong growth were also recorded on the Cork/Midleton route with passenger numbers up almost 10% from 437,000 passenger journeys to 480,000. 

Cork/Cobh also performed strongly and was up 7% from 908,000 to 971,000.

The Cork Dublin service continues to be Iarnród Éireann’s flagship Intercity service, with 31 services a day operating. 

In 2020 a major track renewal programme on the Dublin to Cork route will commence. This will see replacement of track along the route over the coming years, which will future proof services for generations to come and equip the route for higher frequency in the future.

Commenting on the figures, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann Jim Meade said: “Cork is and always will be our flagship Intercity route, and also now sees an ever-strengthening Commuter network. 

"The figures show that the people of Cork are choosing rail as an efficient and sustainable option for traveling Intercity and for commuting. 

"The renewal of track on the route, which commences this year, will further improve the quality of our service to our customers, and the ambition outlined in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) published in 2019 shows how our Commuter network can develop with more stations and more frequent services. ”