Galway Needs Late Night Train from Dublin

Galway, a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage and lively atmosphere, is home for thousands of international students like me and professionals as well. Galway residents frequently travel to the capital Dublin for numerous reasons, including but not limited to work, training, conference, social events, leisure, cultural functions, visit family and friends etc. Train is not only the most convenient means of communication from Galway to Dublin but also the route is very scenic from train while students and young adults get cheapest train ticket with student and young adult leap card who often operate on tight budgets.

However, according to the new train timetable effective from 25 August will see the last train departing Dublin Heuston station one hour later than the usual at 20:30, still poses a significant challenge for those who wish to return to Galway (Ceannt) later in the evening. As the summer days stretch longer, with sunset often occurring after 10:00 PM, the need for late-night train service from Dublin Heuston to Galway (Ceannt) becomes even more pressing.

One of the primary reasons for launching late-night train is to accommodate students, professionals and travellers who go to Dublin for afternoon and evening events. Whether attending a concert, award ceremony, birthday party or other social gathering or even simply enjoying a leisurely evening in the capital, the current train schedule forces passengers to cut their activities short or face the inconvenience and high cost of staying overnight in Dublin. Given the already expensive accommodation options in Dublin, particularly during the summer months, this becomes an unsustainable burden for many. Alternatively, they need to take a bus which is again expensive than the train.

Moreover, many passengers prefer rail than bus because of its spacious inner interior with table which provides a mini workstation for many, luxury to have food and relax, safety and for various other cause. Furthermore, environmental considerations also support the case for a late-night train. Journey by rail is a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option compared to driving or flying. Encouraging more people to use trains, especially for late-night travel, could reduce the carbon footprint associated with intercity travel between Dublin and Galway.

The introduction of late-night train service would significantly enhance the quality of life for Galway inhabitants. By extending train services until 23:00 or at least 22:30, students and others could fully engage in academic, cultural, and social activities in Dublin without the stress of an early departure for the fear of missing travel by train. In addition, a late-night train would also support Galway’s tourism industry. During the summer, Galway attracts numerous visitors who might prefer to explore Dublin during the day but wish to return to the comfort of their Galway accommodations in the evening. The lack of late-night train limits their options, potentially discouraging travel between the two cities and reducing economic activity in both locations.

Nonetheless, Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority has already taken initiative to add seven additional train service between Galway and Dublin where there will be five additional weekday, and two additional Sunday services, including a new earlier first service at 5:45 AM and slightly extended last service at 8:30 PM. Thanks to the authority for increasing the capacity on existing services, with 41 new carriages to the Intercity railcar fleet.

However, enlarging the service until 11:00 PM will assist the commuters to utilise their time more fruitfully in one hand whereas on other hand it will provide flexible commuting option to the city dwellers. As Galway continues to grow as a cultural and economic hub, it is crucial that transportation options keep pace with the needs of its residents and visitors as well. A late-night train would be a significant step towards achieving this aim. So, I would like to urge the authority concerned to operate more late-night trains from Dublin to Galway immediately.

Published in the Galway Advertiser on 22 August 2024 at page 26.

Is It a Curse Not to be an EEA Citizen?

 It seems that not being an EEA citizen is a curse for us. Why? Because we do not have free movement to the Schengen area. Migrants like me legally residing in Ireland must need a visa to travel to any of the twenty-seven countries comprising the Schengen area. I’m a Bangladeshi-origin PhD student here in Ireland and I’m ready to fulfil the requirements to obtain a Schengen visa along with the visa and document processing fees. Albeit I did not even get an online appointment to submit the application for a Schengen visa from last February.

I constantly tried for an online appointment initially for the Netherlands and subsequently for Spain but failed to manage any yet. This is not a scenario for me alone, millions of immigrants coming from 105 different countries are suffering from the same problem for a long. Getting an online appointment for a Schengen visa for most of the popular EU destinations including the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Italy, Luxembourg, etc becomes a nightmare for legal residents in Ireland but neither an EEA nor a privileged country citizen who have visa-free travel right there. That is why, sometimes a few of my friends suggested me to try visa shopping meaning applying for comparatively less busy countries although I have no business or intention to stay there which has negative consequences as well if revealed later.  

Whenever I tried for an appointment on the designated portal, it always showed me there is no available slot on this category of visa at this moment. Normally, people need short-term Schengen visas for travel, business, conference, etc in any of the 27 Schengen countries. It is greatly frustrating that someone couldn’t go to Europe for leisure, conference, professional training, meeting family and friends, and so on only because the visa application process service providers do not have slot for an indefinite time without explaining a valid cause! This is simply unacceptable and illogical.

Usually, the process for application of visa is unnecessarily complex and cumbersome including filling up the application form properly, taking specific measured photos early, collecting various types of documents i.e proof of address, financial statement, evidence of legal residence in Ireland; accommodation, and flight booking; confirmation of health insurance; traveling to the application centre, keeping the passport there, etc. On top of that, agents of Embassies are pushing for extra services for additional money. Now, after all these stresses online visa appointments have become invisible dramatically!

Nonetheless, it is alleged that this highly expected and precious appointment could be managed through illicit means by paying extra money and compromising private information to the online brokers who seize slots once released by the concerned authority. Interestingly, the public is not informed about the opening time of online slots either by the Embassy or third-party service provider whereas the brokers know everything magically!

Although I got the reply that keep trying for appointment on our portal while I emailed to the Spain Embassy agent BLS International! Are the Embassies really helpless to prevent unauthorized access to their system by some illegal traders or they are not at all bothered about the sufferings of millions of non-EEA citizens? Is it believable that in the era of super technological advancement, they can do nothing to make the visa appointment readily available for genuine travellers from Ireland? However, frequent visits to the Schengen area will not only benefit the trippers but also boost the economy of those countries.

It is indeed pathetic that millions of travellers are being barred from visiting the Schengen area due to a mere technical negligence of the Embassies. Thus, the member States must take immediate measures to make the visa appointment available. Alternatively, the EU and the Irish policymakers should think of an alternative travel policy for the legal residents of Ireland to visit the Schengen area visa-free. 

Published in the Galway Advertiser on 1 August 2024.