Night trains

AZ1 · 30-05-2006, 14:52

I don't agree you should be happy to pay more to travel off-peak (which is what late evening service is).
24hr supermarkets don't charge more because you choose to shop at 2:00am when they are the very ones delighted to see you shop at that hour.
Phone companies charge you LESS when you call off-peak.
Ditto Airlines.
It can be done, and IS done. Please don't set us up for another rip-off scenario!
I often take trains at 11:30pm, and feel no obligation whatsoever to pay extra. I'm thankful the service is there, and I use it, but have no interest in being ripped-off.

Mark Gleeson · 30-05-2006, 15:00

Up to 12:30 I can see no justification for charging more (IE thought about it and rolled back last year)

The costs are higher, you need security staff. The DART is a loss maker off peak, I've been on trains at 7:30pm with less than 30 people aboard

The fairest way to play it is to allow weekly/monthly/annual ticket holders to travel at no cost, then lump say €2 on top of the normal fare

The whole thing revolves around how it is managed is it a once off event, ie overtime or a normal rostered turn at which point no payment. There is no shortage of trains moving around early morning its accepted practice

James Shields · 30-05-2006, 16:15

I have to say, I think night trains and busses should stick to the standard fares. I know in London night busses used to be more expensive, but now they're the same as daytime fares and you can use travelcards. Fantastic.

On the other hand, I think it has to be recognised that the transport companies can't be expected to put on late services and make a loss unless someone is footing the bill. We could really do with a red Ken to sort it out.

ThomasJ · 03-06-2006, 22:59

Next Friday's Robbie Williams concert at Croke Park will have extra late night trains. Looking at a sign at the ticket check point they will be:

00.05 Portmarnock,malahide then all stations to Drogheda

00.15 All stations to Maynooth EXCEPT Drumcondra

Not to sure what the story is re. Heuston based commuter/intercity

But it would have been an idea to run a service to Kildare through the Phoenix Park tunnell. I don't think they did it last time. From what I remember the platform allocation was:

platform 2: Maynooth

Platform 3: Drogheda

Platform 4: DART to Howth

Platform 5: Dart to either Bray or Greystones

Platform 6&7 remained closed

nevertheless Platform 1 would have been a good spot to run Kildare trains from. Will they be running an extra late night service from Heuston

Mark Gleeson · 03-06-2006, 23:41

I am aware of a 00:30 Dublin Heuston Cork special train (B216) with a connection at Limerick Junc, call Charleville and Mallow arrives Cork 3:10 am

This is a business driven operation you run trains you know you can fill, thats the problem and its all done on overtime. To be fair to Irish Rail there has been a noticeable increase in special trains in recent years

None of the suburban trains are shown on the system yet

Means I can get a later train home hopefully

ThomasJ · 07-06-2006, 22:13

Just confirming what was said already apart from the 00.05 operating to Dundalk and not Drogheda as previously stated. No details on extra DART's yet and Maynooth and Drogheda/Dundalk timetable not updated yet

From irishrail.ie

Extra late night service on the Northern and Maynooth lines after Robbie Williams Concert by Corporate Communications

Extra late night services will run on the Northern and Maynooth lines after the Robbie Williams concert on Friday night (9th June) /Saturday morning as follows:

00.05 Connolly to Dundalk (Arrive 01.22)

00.15 Connolly to Maynooth (Arrive 00.50)

Derek Wheeler · 07-06-2006, 23:19

Until confirmation from IE, its fair to assume that either they don't realise Robbie Williams fans live south and south west of Connolly or negociations with staff havent concluded.

No real reason why DART or Kildare line can't operate for this excuse for a concert. However I continue to be offended by IEs belief that late night trains are only relevent if you are going to see a coked up loser rather than enjoying a few pints in a boozer with some decent conversation.

I propose Robbie Williams for PRO at the AGM.

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30-05-2006, 14:52	#1
AZ1 Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 31	I don't agree you should be happy to pay more to travel off-peak (which is what late evening service is). 24hr supermarkets don't charge more because you choose to shop at 2:00am when they are the very ones delighted to see you shop at that hour. Phone companies charge you LESS when you call off-peak. Ditto Airlines. It can be done, and IS done. Please don't set us up for another rip-off scenario! I often take trains at 11:30pm, and feel no obligation whatsoever to pay extra. I'm thankful the service is there, and I use it, but have no interest in being ripped-off.

30-05-2006, 15:00	#2
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Up to 12:30 I can see no justification for charging more (IE thought about it and rolled back last year) The costs are higher, you need security staff. The DART is a loss maker off peak, I've been on trains at 7:30pm with less than 30 people aboard The fairest way to play it is to allow weekly/monthly/annual ticket holders to travel at no cost, then lump say €2 on top of the normal fare The whole thing revolves around how it is managed is it a once off event, ie overtime or a normal rostered turn at which point no payment. There is no shortage of trains moving around early morning its accepted practice

30-05-2006, 16:15	#3
James Shields Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Drogheda, Ireland Posts: 1,275	I have to say, I think night trains and busses should stick to the standard fares. I know in London night busses used to be more expensive, but now they're the same as daytime fares and you can use travelcards. Fantastic. On the other hand, I think it has to be recognised that the transport companies can't be expected to put on late services and make a loss unless someone is footing the bill. We could really do with a red Ken to sort it out.

03-06-2006, 22:59	#4
ThomasJ Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Clonsilla Posts: 2,812	Next Friday's Robbie Williams concert at Croke Park will have extra late night trains. Looking at a sign at the ticket check point they will be: 00.05 Portmarnock,malahide then all stations to Drogheda 00.15 All stations to Maynooth EXCEPT Drumcondra Not to sure what the story is re. Heuston based commuter/intercity But it would have been an idea to run a service to Kildare through the Phoenix Park tunnell. I don't think they did it last time. From what I remember the platform allocation was: platform 2: Maynooth Platform 3: Drogheda Platform 4: DART to Howth Platform 5: Dart to either Bray or Greystones Platform 6&7 remained closed nevertheless Platform 1 would have been a good spot to run Kildare trains from. Will they be running an extra late night service from Heuston

03-06-2006, 23:41	#5
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	I am aware of a 00:30 Dublin Heuston Cork special train (B216) with a connection at Limerick Junc, call Charleville and Mallow arrives Cork 3:10 am This is a business driven operation you run trains you know you can fill, thats the problem and its all done on overtime. To be fair to Irish Rail there has been a noticeable increase in special trains in recent years None of the suburban trains are shown on the system yet Means I can get a later train home hopefully

07-06-2006, 22:13	#6
ThomasJ Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Clonsilla Posts: 2,812	Just confirming what was said already apart from the 00.05 operating to Dundalk and not Drogheda as previously stated. No details on extra DART's yet and Maynooth and Drogheda/Dundalk timetable not updated yet From irishrail.ie Extra late night service on the Northern and Maynooth lines after Robbie Williams Concert by Corporate Communications Extra late night services will run on the Northern and Maynooth lines after the Robbie Williams concert on Friday night (9th June) /Saturday morning as follows: 00.05 Connolly to Dundalk (Arrive 01.22) 00.15 Connolly to Maynooth (Arrive 00.50)

07-06-2006, 23:19	#7
Derek Wheeler Registered user Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kildare Posts: 1,555	Until confirmation from IE, its fair to assume that either they don't realise Robbie Williams fans live south and south west of Connolly or negociations with staff havent concluded. No real reason why DART or Kildare line can't operate for this excuse for a concert. However I continue to be offended by IEs belief that late night trains are only relevent if you are going to see a coked up loser rather than enjoying a few pints in a boozer with some decent conversation. I propose Robbie Williams for PRO at the AGM.