‘People are fainting on trains’ – Mayor says overcrowding shows need for new Louth station
Overcrowding on rail services — including reports of passengers fainting on packed trains — highlights the urgent need for a new train station in north Drogheda, according to Mayor Michelle Hall.
Mayor Hall raised the issue during a meeting with the new CEO of Iarnród Éireann, where she was invited to inspect the incoming fleet of DART+ carriages, due to enter service in spring 2027.
“I used the opportunity to emphasise the real need for a train station in north Drogheda, active travel measures to the train station, and the importance of collaborating with Louth County Council on that and other plans,” she said.
However, she was told the long‑called‑for station is currently unfunded.
“From the CEO’s point of view, she explained that there is no funding for the north Drogheda train station because we are not on the Iarnród Éireann capital plan delivered by the Department of Transport,” Mayor Hall said. “So that is where the difficulty lies.”
Mayor Hall welcomed the recent allocation of €350,000 for Phase 3 of the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR), which will connect with the railway line via a crossing or underpass. But she said the lack of government backing for the station remains a major obstacle.
“There is really a lot of frustration around this as there doesn’t seem to be much government buy‑in, and so far it has been council‑led,” she said. “There hasn’t been any government funding up until now.”
Mayor Hall said demand for rail services across the region continues to surge.
“People want to use public transport, but they have to be given proper options. There is a lot of commuting from Louth — we are so close to Dublin and Belfast and people want access to that railway line. There are a million people in this wider region who want to use good transport links.”
But, she added, overcrowding on current services remains a serious concern.
“Stories we hear of people fainting on trains… that’s just not manageable,” she said.
Mayor Hall said a station in north Drogheda remains essential for the growing population.
“A train station in north Drogheda is a win‑win. We are already building a road to it. It’s not retrofitting any facility, and this is the time to make sure it is done.”
The meeting focused on the DART+ Coastal North Project, which will see the electrified network extended from Malahide to Drogheda MacBride station. Mayor Hall said the new fleet design marks a noticeable improvement.
“The new design looks great — you can see the whole way to the bottom of the train, which is for added security as well.”
“There are positive developments, of course, but really we need another two lines — definitely an increase in rail infrastructure in Louth.”