[Jamie2k9]

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland...o--212447.html

High price of petrol forces students onto the train
By Jimmy Woulfe, Mid-West Correspondent

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

An increasing number of students attending third-level colleges in Limerick are opting for daily train commutes rather than car due to the spiralling cost of petrol.

Jim Gallivan, business development manager with Irish Rail at Colbert station, Limerick, said student business has grown by up to 100% on some services since the start of the academic year, with a marked increase on the Ennis-Limerick, Thurles-Limerick, and Limerick Junction-Limerick services.

Mr Gallivan said: "We decided to go with any student travel card last May.

"But this academic year it has really taken off, with numbers up by about 100%, particularly in and out of Limerick, with the third-level colleges. We are also getting a lot of students travelling every day who are attending grind schools.

"There has been a marked increase in daily commute student numbers travelling by train, compared to last year — from about 300 a week to 600 a week. There has been a marked increase from places in the Limerick catchment area.

"We feel that the cost of petrol is the big factor and this is encouraging more students to travel by train. Also, many families don’t have the second car anymore, which may have been used for getting a student to and from a college in Limerick every day."

Earlier this year, Mr Gallivan said Iarnród Éireann, on a trial basis, discounted the main intercity student fares and also offered the student discount to holders of all current student cards with photo ID.

"Overall, there has been an increase of up to 50% in student journeys into and out Limerick in the first four weeks of the 2012/13 year compared to last year, with student numbers increasing from 7,300 to over 11,000 in this four-week period.

"Student travel on the Limerick-Dublin-Limerick corridor has increased by 70% where the student fare dropped from €38 return to €20, giving a saving of over 60% off regular fares."

A student weekly ticket from Ennis or Limerick Junction to Limerick is €31.20, accompanied by a valid student card.

Quiet an increase. Have other lines seen increases like this.