The expansion of the ‘quieter carriage’ initiative on Iarnród Éireann services would result in a more inclusive and work-friendly travel experience for passengers, according to Social Democrats transport spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore said:
“Quieter carriages have proved extremely popular since they were reintroduced on the Dublin to Cork service back in 2022 and there is no reason why Iarnród Éireann should not build on this success.
“There would be many benefits from rolling out this initiative to additional routes across our rail network. Quieter carriages support neurodivergent passengers and result in a more inclusive travel experience for people with anxiety or PTSD.
“Quieter carriages are designed to offer a calm space for all passengers, especially during long journeys, which can help reduce travel-related stress. They are also beneficial for commuters or students who need a quiet environment to read, study or work.
“If we want to achieve our climate action goals and reduce our emissions, we need to get people out of their cars and onto public transport. Increased availability of quieter carriages could help us achieve this goal.
“Expanding quieter carriages would be an easy win, requiring just minimal infrastructure change, minor signage provision, some additional staff training, and a public awareness campaign.
“Today, during Dáil statements on the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, I called for a nationwide roll-out of this initiative.”
July 2, 2025