Irish Rail Smart Card

Padna · 10-12-2015, 21:03

I have an annual season ticket issued by Irish Rail that is valid for travel between Dundalk and Belfast from 1 Jan 2015 to 31 Dec 2015. At the top it states "Rail Smart Card" and then underneath "Only valid between stations printed". Further down it states "Dundalk - Belfast", then my name followed by "2015".

Today I received my new card for 2016 in the post. It's similar to my 2015 card, except that it doesn't have "2016" after my name, or any other obvious indication as to its period of validity. I'm sure it'll work at the barriers in Dundalk Station, but I can see it causing me difficulties in Belfast, as these Irish Rail cards don't seem to be readable by Translink scanners. Instead the staff at Belfast Central Station or on board the train manually inspect the card. With no period of validity/expiry date printed on it, it certainly has the potential to raise eyebrows.

Have Irish Rail stopped printing the period of validity on these cards? I was thinking of sending it back and asking them for a new one which would clearly show the period of validity, as was the case with this year's card. They've also spelt my surname incorrectly on it, although that's unlikely to cause any problem as it does have my photo on it.

Mark Gleeson · 11-12-2015, 14:30

Call Taxsaver immediately

Translink rely on visual inspection

Padna · 11-12-2015, 16:41

Thanks, Mark.

I phoned them and they suggested calling in to the office in Dublin with it or sending it back by registered post (with a letter explaining the problem). The latter is the better option for me (as I live in Dundalk and work in Belfast).

Mark Gleeson · 14-12-2015, 12:15

I'd suggest you ask them to cancel the one you have and send you the correct one.

Padna · 14-12-2015, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

I'd suggest you ask them to cancel the one you have and send you the correct one.

You're right. I reckon now that's what I should have done, although it wasn't suggested to me as an option when I phoned them on Friday.

Anyway, I sent the card back to them by registered post on Saturday morning.

Mark Gleeson · 14-12-2015, 15:10

Taxsaver team are normally extremely reasonable and helpful.

They do sell a fair few cross border so this is a scenario they should have considered. Its trivial to issue all Enterprise guards with a reader but that won't work if you grab a C3K to make a connection

10-12-2015, 21:03	#1
Padna Regular Poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 69	Irish Rail Smart Card I have an annual season ticket issued by Irish Rail that is valid for travel between Dundalk and Belfast from 1 Jan 2015 to 31 Dec 2015. At the top it states "Rail Smart Card" and then underneath "Only valid between stations printed". Further down it states "Dundalk - Belfast", then my name followed by "2015". Today I received my new card for 2016 in the post. It's similar to my 2015 card, except that it doesn't have "2016" after my name, or any other obvious indication as to its period of validity. I'm sure it'll work at the barriers in Dundalk Station, but I can see it causing me difficulties in Belfast, as these Irish Rail cards don't seem to be readable by Translink scanners. Instead the staff at Belfast Central Station or on board the train manually inspect the card. With no period of validity/expiry date printed on it, it certainly has the potential to raise eyebrows. Have Irish Rail stopped printing the period of validity on these cards? I was thinking of sending it back and asking them for a new one which would clearly show the period of validity, as was the case with this year's card. They've also spelt my surname incorrectly on it, although that's unlikely to cause any problem as it does have my photo on it.

11-12-2015, 14:30	#2
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Call Taxsaver immediately Translink rely on visual inspection __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

14-12-2015, 12:15	#4
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	I'd suggest you ask them to cancel the one you have and send you the correct one. __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

14-12-2015, 15:10	#6
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Taxsaver team are normally extremely reasonable and helpful. They do sell a fair few cross border so this is a scenario they should have considered. Its trivial to issue all Enterprise guards with a reader but that won't work if you grab a C3K to make a connection __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

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11-12-2015, 16:41	#3
Padna Regular Poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 69	Thanks, Mark. I phoned them and they suggested calling in to the office in Dublin with it or sending it back by registered post (with a letter explaining the problem). The latter is the better option for me (as I live in Dundalk and work in Belfast).