Irish Rail have said it is "proving very difficult" to bring back its beloved food trolley service on intercity trains.
The catering service was suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic and is yet to return as Irish Rail is still in the process of bringing a new catering provider on board.
Irish Rail spokesman Barry Kenny told Newstalk Lunchtime Live that there is no set date for its return due to increased costs with providing the service. “We would love to be able to bring it back straight away but it is proving very difficult,” he said.
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“As people know, our catering provider pulled out of providing it earlier this year. We have been working with the market to try and get a replacement provider even on an interim basis, or even to have, kind of, some services covered.
“They are facing the same issues the previous provider had in terms of staffing and also, costs have basically multiplied. I think what people don’t probably appreciate is that we pay the catering providers to provide the service and the costs being quoted to us are significantly above what we’re funded for.”
Mr Kenny said that Irish Rail are hopeful they will have the service back "as early as possible in the New Year".
“We’ll get it back in the new year,” he said. “We’re working to have it as early as possible but it is not confirmed as of yet.
“I know it is bureaucratic and it is frustrating for customers – it’s frustrating for us as well in terms of what we’re funded for and what we have the ability to do without facing legal challenge from suppliers that don’t get it.
“It’s about getting that across the line. We think we’ll get there early in the new year but as I say we’re still working with suppliers.”
Mr Kenny added that Irish Rail doesn't make money from the service, but wants it there for customers' sake. “The supplier will be making that money,” he said.
“We want it there because our customers want it. It is a nice aspect of rail travel and that’s why we want it – because it attracts more people to our service.”
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