Impossible Discounted Fares

[Mark Gleeson]

Yes here we go again total bias, its all Dublin, so I'm still stuck paying crazy prices to Tipperary. Of course its a bit like Ryanair actually availing of the fares can be a challenge

General News
Beat the recession with €10 day return fares to and from Dublin during July! by Corporate Communications

Iarnród Éireann has announced a special €10 adult day return fare (€5 child return) to and from Dublin for the month of July for on a range of routes in the Leinster area.

The doom and gloom of headlines about recession, inflation and soaring fuel prices can be forgotten about with this special discounted summer offer, perfect for day trips, shopping, leisure activities, and for families during the school summer holidays.

The €10 day return for adults, and €5 day return fare for children is available from the following routes and stations, from the times indicated each day during July (fare will not be available on dates of special events, such as major concerts, relevant GAA Championship fixtures etc):

Dundalk/Drogheda – Dublin (fare available from Dundalk, Drogheda, Laytown and Gormanston): available on all trains after 09.00hrs daily

Longford-Dublin (fare available from Longford, Edgeworthstown, Mullingar, Enfield): available on all trains after 09.30hrs daily

Athlone-Dublin (fare available from Athlone, Clara, Tullamore): available on all trains after 09.30hrs daily

Portlaoise-Dublin (fare available from Portlaoise, Portarlington, Monasterevin, Kildare, Newbridge): available on all trains after 09.30hrs daily

Carlow-Dublin (fare available from Carlow and Athy): available on all trains after 09.30hrs daily

Gorey-Dublin (fare available from Gorey, Arklow, Rathdrum, Wicklow): available on all trains after 08.30hrs daily


FOR DAY RETURNS STARTING ROUND-TRIP FROM DUBLIN

Dublin to Dundalk/Drogheda; Dublin to Longford; Dublin to Gorey: available on all trains up to 13.30hrs daily, returning on any service

Dublin to Athlone; Dublin to Portlaoise; Dublin to Carlow: available on all trains up to 15.30hrs daily, returning on any service


The €10 return fare represents major savings of up to 50% and more in many cases. This special fare is available from train station ticket offices on day of travel.

Of course if you live in Monasterevin you can't physically get to Dublin and back in a day if you leave after 9:30

And of course if booked online you get no discount at all which is in total contrast to modern business practice.

[haddockman]

Does it mean that you must leave Dublin by 15.30 to use up the return part?

[Mark Gleeson]

Curiously the return out of Dublin is valid any train, any time which doesn't make much sense given its standing room only on most trains 5-6:30pm

[chipper]

Dundalk/Drogheda – Dublin (fare available from Dundalk, Drogheda, Laytown and Gormanston): available on all trains after 09.00hrs daily


This is very misleading! The sign in Drogheda station states that the fare is available after 09:28. The website says, "all trains after 09:00" which you would assume to include the 09:28 from Drogheda. Do they really mean all trains departing from Dundalk after 09:00 which would indeed rule out the 09:28 Drogheda?

Aside from that, this is a very good offer. What a pity that it is impossible to park in Drogheda train station after about 7:30 which makes the reduced fare useless to anyone not in walking distance of the station. Drogheda is a commuter station and nothing more.

[clockwork orange]

This is very misleading! The sign in Drogheda station states that the fare is available after 09:28. The website says, "all trains after 09:00" which you would assume to include the 09:28 from Drogheda. Do they really mean all trains departing from Dundalk after 09:00 which would indeed rule out the 09:28 Drogheda?

Aside from that, this is a very good offer. What a pity that it is impossible to park in Drogheda train station after about 7:30 which makes the reduced fare useless to anyone not in walking distance of the station. Drogheda is a commuter station and nothing more.


9.28 starts in Drogheda not Dundalk. Fare is available on all services to Dublin after 9.00 (i.e. the "9.28 service onwards"), pretty simple. Secondly, its a commuter promotion hence applys to commuter stations, probably to make up for the horrendous rail fares they have to pay compared to Balbriggan.