Concerns that the train stations in Portlaoise and Portarlington will eventually become automated and have no staff have been raised by SIPTU.
LaoisToday.ie has learned that Irish Rail management are proposing to phase out and close down the station ticket offices in Laois and other counties and redeploy staff.
It is also understood that Irish Rail has had correspondence with staff at their main stations, including Portlaoise, Portarlington and Kildare.
The plans come under the “Customer First” programme being rolled out by Irish Rail, according to SIPTU organiser Paul Cullen.
SIPTU has voiced concerns about how this will reduce customer service as well as potential difficulties for elderly customers and those with a disability.
Mr Cullen said there are issues of safety, where people are walking close to the edge of platforms. He said nothing can replace having staff on the ground who can advise and help customers.
“The company is examining all stations and are looking at whether or not they should be automated, with ticket machines put in… Their view is that more people are booking online but that doesn’t take into account the needs of older people or people with disabilities,” he said.
“It’s not a road we want to go down,” he said of automated services.
“The staff working in the stations in Laois are all local staff and are friendly with the local people,” Mr Cullen said.
He said the company has been doing this across the country, including the stations in Laois.
Vacancies
Employment vacancies are also not being filled by the company when staff leave through promotion or retirement. “It’s natural wastage by stealth,” he said.
For example, Mr Cullen said there are currently two vacancies open in Limerick Junction and one in Tullamore and Templemore, where staff have not been replaced. “We are trying to get those filled,” he said.
Irish Rail did not respond to a request to comment on the points raised by SIPTU.
