[Colm Moore]

http://irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=1256

Changes to train station parking charges from Mon 12th December by Corporate Communications

Iarnród Éireann has advised customers that there will be changes to car park charges at train stations from Monday 12th December.

While machine charges for daily and weekly parking will increase, customers can ensure that the price of parking is unchanged by switching to ParkByText where there will be no increase.

Monthly charges will effectively be reduced for all customers, with the validity of the €30 monthly rate for machine or ParkByText customers extended from 28 days to 31 days for no extra charge.



Full details of new rates from 12th December 2011 are:

Parking Duration Machine Charge ParkByText Charge (Unchanged)

Daily* €3 (was €2) €2
Weekly* €10 (was €8) €8
Monthly* (now 31 days instead of 28) €30 (unchanged) €30
Day parking charges at Heuston, Connolly, Cork €8 (was €7) €7

*Full list of stations below

The revised charges mean that, as well as being a more convenient way of paying for parking, ParkByText is now the cheapest way also, with no increase on current rates.

The monthly charge now sees customers’ parking rates reduced to less than €1 per day for all payment methods.

Customers can also open a ParkByText account, with added benefits including:

- Shorter and simpler payment process (An account holder is only required to send a short text message to complete payment whereas an unregistered user needs to send a similar text message followed by providing their credit card details to a voicemail phone number)

- Account holders have the option to receive text messages and/or emails with updates on special parking offers and system enhancements

- Account holders can select a free option of automatic top up to their account balance ensuring that they always have funds set aside for their parking charges

A 50 cent monthly account maintenance charge applies to customers choosing this option.

Further details are available at www.parkbytext.ie



How to use Parkbytext

Parkbytext is a Cashless Payment System for use with mobile and smart phones. This has recently been introduced at all stations with paid car parks.

It gives customers an option to pay for their parking without having to carry cash, attend at a machine or display a ticket on their car windscreen.

Once payment has been made using parkbytext, the central system is updated to take account of this and the car park management company will then know who has paid for their parking.

Parkbytext offers two options. One is as an account holder and the other is a pay as you go option. An account holder would have been pre-registered at www.parkbytext.ie.

To parkbytext as an account holder simply text:

* PARK(location code)(duration) to 51155.
* All Location codes are displayed on car park signage nationwide.
* Duration can be day (D), week (W) or month (M).


For example, to park at Dalkey Station text:

* PARK 0858 D to 51155 to park for one day at location 0858 (i.e. Dalkey train station)

OR

* PARK 0858 W to 51155, to park for one week at location 0858 (i.e. Dalkey train station).

Account holders may also pay for parking by calling 0818 444 999. Visit www.parkbytext.ie to open an account.



To initiate parking session if not an account holder text:

* PARK(location code)(car registration) to 51155.

For example to park at Dalkey Station text:

* PARK 0858 07D72973 to 51155.
* You will then receive an information text with further instructions to your mobile phone.

For full FAQs, benefits of opening and account, and Terms and Conditions visit www.parkbytext.ie or contact info@parkbytext.ie.



*List of stations for daily, weekly and monthly charges detailed:

Ardrahan
Arklow
Athenry
Athlone
Athy
Balbriggan
Ballinasloe
Booterstown
Bray
Carlow
Carrigtwohill
Castlebar
Charleville
Clara
Clontarf Rd
Collooney
Coolmine
Craughwell
Dalkey
Donabate
Drogheda
Dunboyne
Dundalk
Edgeworthstown
Enfield
Ennis
Farranfore
Glounthane
Gorey
Gormanstown
Gort
Hazelhatch
Kildare
Kilkenny
Killarney
Killester
Laytown
Leixlip Confey
Leixlip Louisa Bridge
Limerick Junction
Little Island
Longford
Malahide
Mallow
Maynooth
Midleton
Monasterevin
Mullingar
Newbridge
Portarlington
Portlaoise
Portmarnock
Rathdrum
Rosslare
Rush & Lusk
Sallins
Skerries
Sligo
Sutton
Templemore
Thurles
Tralee
Tullamore
Waterford
Westport
Wicklow
Woodlawn