LUAS operators criticised over peak-time fare increase

[Brian Condron]

Originally Posted by Unison.ie

LUAS operators criticised over peak-time fare increase
13:10 Thursday January 4th 2007

The operators of the LUAS tram system in Dublin are being criticised for introducing higher fares at peak times.
From Monday, all rush-hour commuters using the trams will have to pay 10 cents extra for their ticket.

The higher fare will operate between 7.45am and 9.30am from Monday to Friday.

The LUAS operators say it is designed to alleviate rush hour congestion by encouraging people to use the service at different times.

However, Fine Gael TD Olivia Mitchell has accused the company of targeting its most loyal customers.

She says extra trams should be introduced to reduce rush-hour congestion instead of a penalty on people who use the LUAS.

My understanding of this is that Smart Card users will not be charged the peak time fare, and that users with weekly / monthly tickets can use either peak / off-peak services with no price variations. How is this targetting the most loyal customers? Headline grabbing again, it must be an awful job to be an opposition spokesperson on something. It looks like the peak fare is to dissuade non-regular users from taking journeys during rush hour that they could take half an hour later, and the intention is to cut down on over-crowding at peak times. Seems pretty straightforward in theorey, but in practice I doubt that it will make much difference. I tend to avoid using the Luas at peak times unless I absolutely need to, and I imagine the majority of non-regular users would do the same!

[Thomas J Stamp]

Exactly the same as UK rail operators did last week. Cue Irish Rail adding a few cent to morning rush hours.

[Brian Condron]

When I lived in Manchester, the Metrolink fare was £1.70, but £3.00 before 9:30AM. The mainline railway also wouldn't let you use the Young Persons Card for journeys before 9:30AM. Annoying policy, even though I could see the reasons for it.

[2Funki4Wheelz]

As a regular on the red line (sometimes 4 times a day!) there are lots of people on it at peak times that could get it other times but they don't. Especially between 5 - 6 there's lots of elderly people with shopping that end up squashed and complaining about the crush.

And everyone else complains about all the people going to Heuston, and breathe a sigh when we call get off, it really needs a dedicated up and down service.

The mornings just seem like commuters trying to get to work though, they don't have a lot of choice.

Worst thing is (and this is the best way of putting it) all the day trippers on the trains, coming out of Heuston for a nice shopping trip in City. They walk by empty 90s to get on "the experience" that is the Luas.

A few cent doesn't seem discourage people nowadays, it's just some extra revenue. I do hope it acts as an incentive for regular users to buy Smarts and multi-journey tickets.

[Donal Quinn]

slightly off topic but i remember people saying before that the smart card is awkward to use at peak time because people are slow using it and a queue forms at each scanner - has this improved any?

[Mark Gleeson]

But Donal we are not all wizz kids like you, 99% will hold the card over the machine until it pings when as you know flashing it over the panel is sufficient

[Brian Condron]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

But Donal we are not all wizz kids like you, 99% will hold the card over the machine until it pings when as you know flashing it over the panel is sufficient

Not necesserily, I have flashed the card over the panel on many occasions, only to receive the buzz indicating "card not read". Now, to save time, I always hold the card on front of the panel until it pings.

[Mark Gleeson]

This simply exposes the RPA money making machine, bear in mind I could travel on a near empty tram Green Dundrum at 8am and pay a congestion charge with an empty tram.

Samrt card fares are the same as 2005 (yes 2005) levels but still lack the automatic discount as in London

They have problems in London with tube capacity don't see them charging excess now do you ?

You will be hard pushed to find this on the Luas site since the link is wrong

LUAS FARES TO INCREASE FROM MONDAY, 8 JANUARY

RPA today announced Luas fare increases which will come into effect from Monday, 8 January.

There will be no increase in Luas SmartCard fares for the second year running. Luas SmartCards now provide even better value for money and are becoming increasingly popular.

New Peak-Time Single fares will be introduced between 7.45am and 9.30am, Monday to Friday. There will be no increase in single fares outside this weekday morning peak period.

There will be no increase in child fares for the second year running.

The main fare changes are as follows:
- New Peak-Time Single fares 10 cent more than normal single fares;
- Return fares increase by 10 cent;
- Adult 1-Day tickets increase by 20 cent;
- Adult and Student 7 Day tickets increase by 30 to 70 cent;
- Adult and Student 30 Day tickets increase by €1 to €2;
- 1, 7 and 30-Day tickets sold by retail agents increase by between 50 cent (for the Adult 1-Day Flexi Ticket covering all zones) and €4 (for the 30-Day equivalent); and
- Tax-Saver Tickets will increase by between €4 (for the Red Line Monthly Ticket) and €50 (for the All Lines Annual Ticket).

RPA Chief Executive, Frank Allen, said that the fare increases are expected to provide a 2.75% increase in revenue which is needed to cover the costs associated with continuing to provide a high quality service. “The manner in which fare increases are being applied will help to improve convenience and comfort by prompting a switch to SmartCards and off-peak trips in particular”, said Mr Allen.


For further information contact:

Ger Hannon at 087-9091229