Dublin-Cork sneaky fare increase

[ACustomer]

The new timetable now has bookable seats. Trying for Jan 17, I find that all First class seats appear to be at the CityGold price of €76.50 on all trains (even the 0515 ex Cork). At present a fare of €65.50 applies on trains other than the former CityGold services.

OK, the new facilities are superior, but I understood that a higher level of catering was available as part of the CityGold package. Will this enhancement be available on all Dublin Cork services in 2007? Need I ask?

By all means charge €76.50 if you provide the service, but if you have spare seats on some services, why not make them more attractive by offering them at €65.50 if all you can provide is a tea trolley.

Cullen said he was limiting the fare increase to 2.75%. Lies, lies.

[Mark Gleeson]

There will be more citygold services in the new year, at least double

They do book out and there are some large contract customers

First class fares are not regulated by the DoT and given every train has standard and there is a long standing thing that a seat behind the dinning car in standard is just as good really

Its a choice to pay extra no one is forcing you

[ACustomer]

OK, the fares are not regulated, but that does not mean IE are in the clear. There may be twice as many CityGold services each day as at present: that means at least 6 as opposed to the present 3 each way. But there are 15 trains each way next month: which have the enhanced service level and which heve the dreaded trolley? The timetable does not say so, and I think we should be told before we exercise our choice!

Maybe the printed timetable will have better info, but you need it on-line.

[Mark Gleeson]

We don't know what the citygold arrangements will be but we are fairly sure that the 6:30 and 7:30 ex Cork will be citygold, last year only 6 citygold trips where available since there where only 2 citygold coaches

There is no doubt citygold is a very good service, it has heavy loadings and appears to be a profitable operation, it has no impact on the normal passengers other than the fact if citygold is provided you can be fairly certain full catering will be available in standard in the buffet coach