Delays Friday evening

[Rashers]

Any idea's what was happening tonight on all DARTS/Drogheda/Maynooth services using loop line - most suffering delays.
As always, no information on displays/in stations/ on trains.
16.50 Bray to Drogheda was 15-20 mins late arriving into Donabate. It was also only 6 carriages, but the overcrowding did not delay it.
Another dinner in the microwave compliments of IE!

[Mark Gleeson]

No idea but there are certainly delays

Some trains from Pearse are starting from Connolly

[James Shields]

I don't know about delays, but short trains seem to be the order of the day.

This morning the 8:32 form Drogheda was a 4 car 2800. Stood up from Balbriggan to let someone else sit.

This evening the 18:40 from connolly was a 4 car 29K, and was well packed. Decided to abadon it for the 19:00 Enterprise. This may turn out to have been a bad idea as we seem to have stopped near Malahide, apparently due to a failed train in front of us.

The only thing keeping me sane at the moment is my new internet phone...

[James Shields]

Ah. We've just stopped in Malahide and a lot of people have got on. Presumably refugees from the aforementioned failed train. I'm guessing we'll be making extra stops as a result.

I'm guessing it will be at least 8 when we get to Drogheda.

[Mark Gleeson]

Enterprise - 1900 Dublin Connolly to Belfast Central 28-Sep-2007 19:41
Due to local Irish Rail problems, the 1900 service from Dublin Connolly to Belfast Central has been delayed by 30 minutes.

Remember refunds start at 30 minutes on Enterprise services

[James Shields]

Yeah, but can I save up the refunds against next year's annual ticket?

Coming into laytown now.

[Mark Gleeson]

Nope must be processed within 28 days, but you have two this 25% ones this week so far

So for Drogheda annual is 1665 / divide by the magic 420 then * 25%

Wow its worth 2 euro However the new EU rules coming in will require the refund to be based on the single fare where a passenger has a season ticket, in that case you would be 6.40 to the good

[Rashers]

Quick question on refunds. I buy my ticket via my employer (taxsaver option), so how am I meant to exchange these vouchers?
I'd say a lot of annual ticket holders don't bother applying for refunds because this/can't be bothered filling out the forms.

[Mark Gleeson]

You get a docket which can be exchanged for cash

[Rashers]

You used to get those dockets, but not anymore. You get a TRAVEL VOUCHER which clearly states cannot be exchanged for cash, and you get no change. Hence my problem with these.
It's been like that for a few years, I think. Certainly on the Northern + Eastern lines.

[Mark Gleeson]

Well the EU will make that illegal

Maybe we should offer a pay your membership fee with ticket vouchers deal?

[Rashers]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Well the EU will make that illegal

Maybe we should offer a pay your membership fee with ticket vouchers deal?

Good idea! I normally give them to my wife....

[James Shields]

Yeah, I think most regular commuters will have dificulty spending vouchers within 28 days. I like the of accepting them for memberships.

Cash refunds based on a single fare will be a lot more useful to most people. I think the EU minimum refund amounts are lower than IE's, so I bet they'll only pay that' but it will sting them a lot harder.

[Mark Gleeson]

Vouchers are open ended, the application for them must be made within 28 days

[Rashers]

When will the new EU rules come into force for IE? And I assume they'll revert to the dockets that can be cashed, rather then send out cheques.
I have a feeling they will be difficult to control, so they'll need good security features.