Have your say: Should the railway return to Tyrone?

WE are Tyrone this week asked the people of Omagh what they thought about the possibility of a return to rail travel in Tyrone, and whether or nor they would use the service.

The North’s Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon, recently announced a new consultation to allow people to have their say on the future of rail links across the whole of Ireland, including extending the tracks to Tyrone.

To read more about the proposals.

Finn Baxter- Amokhine, “I would definitely use the train if it came through Omagh. It would be excellent for linking the town to larger towns and cities. “It would be even better for me personally as a student because it would mean I would be able to stay at home and travel to university especially as I want to go to the new medical school in Derry.”

John Platt, “The train coming through Omagh would be great. I rely on public transport as I don’t drive and the train would be a great other option for me. I always think the train is a much more comfortable journey than a bus and better for long journeys. ” Although It does seem like it would be a along time before any thing would ever get built or even get talked about being built.”

Caolan Teaghue, “I would use a train service all the time if it was close by. To be honest they probably never should have gotten rid of the old service.
“The bus service is fine but sometimes the journeys can be a bit cramped and uncomfortable. The train would be so much more relaxing.”

Michael Dobbs, “I think it’s a long shot that they will bring the trains back. So much of the old route is now all built over with houses.
“Look how long it has taken for them to do the A5 never mind bring a railway to Omagh I just can’t see it.”

Noel Braiden, “I don’t think it’s a very practical idea. Sure the routes not there anymore it is all built over. Sure you can use the bus if you need it and I think that service is pretty good.
“Where I live a bus comes every hour and gets me where I need to be.”