2008 fare increases

[Mark Gleeson]

There will be a fare increase in January, we have learned that Irish Rail have a written agreement guaranteeing that they will be given permission to increase fares on a annual basis, so much for the government looking out for us

The minister can't refuse it appears

Expect 3.5% at the least

[Colm R]

Thats great - inflation hitting 5%, way above the Eurozone average, and nothing is being done to tackle this.

5% is too high, its bad for the economy and this does not help in the slightest.

[MOH]

Why can't the minister refuse it?

Mind you, not much can be done about it. Not much point tying it to performance when IE can get away with claiming 96% punctuality when everyone who sues the service finds it far lower than that.

[Mark Gleeson]

CIE has a signed agreement which ensures they get a fare increase on annual basis

[dowlingm]

I'd rather see a fare increase than the railway crippled. With oil at $90+/bbl costs aren't heading south any time soon, and the inability of IE to roll out a fleet on time is probably not cheap either... and if you even whisper wage restraint -

STRIKE!!!

Unfortunately the expansion of tax deducted travel will probably head off some better subvention methods, like increasing the subvention in line with passenger-kilometres travelled.

[MOH]

I'd say the rail service is fairly crippled as it is. I've lost a day of my life this year standing on DART platforms waiting for late trains.

[Mark Gleeson]

Well they got 5% effective from Wednesday 9th Jan

[Thomas Ralph]

Does that apply to cross-border fares as well? They've stayed static through the last few hikes.

[Mark Gleeson]

Cross border fares have increased

Day return is now €38 it was €36.50

[Mark Gleeson]

Full 2008 Dublin Suburban fares are now online http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_info/fares_matrix.php

Of course they are not to be found anywhere on the IE website

[Mark Gleeson]

If there is anyone out there who knows what the fares in the Cork suburban area are, doesn't matter single, return between any stations Cork - Cobh line except for Cork - Cobh itself (have them).

We are trying to build up our fare info, its the Cork area is where we draw a complete blank.

[zag]

Does anyone know the price of the annual 'short hop bus and rail' ?

I think it was €980 last year but the prices on the website seem not to have been updated yet.

Cheers,

z

[Mark Gleeson]

€980 applies until Feb 1st when all monthly tickets increase

We await confirmation of the new fare

[zag]

Cool Mark - thanks for that.

z

[Mark Gleeson]

Cork Dublin fares are (emphasise these are not the same as Dublin Cork)

€59.50 single
€33.00 single if bought online
€64.50 5 day return
€46.50 day return if you travel on any train from Cork Tues-Thurs + Sat but only if you get the 9:30 or later train otherwise its €64.50

[Thomas Ralph]

And for an extra €1.30 single €2.60 return your ticket is valid on bus routes 90-92 and the Red Luas in zone central 1, although that no longer provides an appreciable saving other than on the 92.