Iarnród Éireann funding crisis puts lines at risk, report warns

[grainne whale]

Originally Posted by James Howard

That report is so obviously kite-flying but I'd say it is seriously likely that North Tipp and Limerick Junction to Waterford's days are numbered. Things simply can't go on as they are and it will be a matter of either automating the lines or closing them. Ennis to Athenry is a different case given that the operating costs aren't quite as crazy.

There is a fundamental issue though where Irish Rail are charging 35 euro for an open return for a 70 mile return journey from my station on trains that are for the most part packed and extremely lightly staffed. Yet every train requires a subsidy. Demand is obviously very high yet nobody can afford the fares. The real nub of the issue is that until some way is found to pay for the large numbers of people travelling for free (legally or otherwise), the railway system will remain in crisis.

Tell me more - people travelling for free (legally)

[ACustomer]

GW: yes, we're the >65s! Don't worry, some day you will benefit too.

[James Howard]

Note that I didn't suggest the over 65's don't travel for free although I seriously doubt that this facility will be extended to me when I reach that age. The issue is that Irish Rail isn't receiving a fair price for this facility which would cost me something like 6,000 euro a year to pay for myself. This needs to be addressed by either increasing the free travel contribution from state funds or by asking users to contribute a portion of their fare.

As a taxpayer, I personally don't mind a bit more of my tax going into the free travel as it a good use of state funds - the health benefits (and resulting HSE savings) of keeping older people active are pretty obvious. As somebody who pays a lot of money to travel by train, I do however resent part of my fare being used to subsidise other peoples' travel.

Fares - particularly open returns have reached a point where they are getting pretty unaffordable yet the trains are generally pretty busy and still Irish Rail can't make money. Something doesn't add up. Either too few people are buying tickets or Irish Rail are spectacularly inefficient.

[ACustomer]

JAmes Howard: you are right. In many respects the Free Travel scheme is administered in a completely shambolic way as far as the CIE companies are concerned. Basically it is now a lump-sum payment, so the marginal revenue to Irish Rail from more passengers is zero. The transport companies should be paid for each over-65 they carry: not a lot , just to cover at least the marginal costs of off-peak passengers. Over-65s should have only limited access to peak services.

Needless to say there there is total political cowardice when it comes to these issues. MAybe I can't blame the politicians too much when I can guess how the whingeing media would react.

[grainne whale]

Originally Posted by James Howard

Note that I didn't suggest the over 65's don't travel for free although I seriously doubt that this facility will be extended to me when I reach that age. The issue is that Irish Rail isn't receiving a fair price for this facility which would cost me something like 6,000 euro a year to pay for myself. This needs to be addressed by either increasing the free travel contribution from state funds or by asking users to contribute a portion of their fare.

As a taxpayer, I personally don't mind a bit more of my tax going into the free travel as it a good use of state funds - the health benefits (and resulting HSE savings) of keeping older people active are pretty obvious. As somebody who pays a lot of money to travel by train, I do however resent part of my fare being used to subsidise other peoples' travel.

Fares - particularly open returns have reached a point where they are getting pretty unaffordable yet the trains are generally pretty busy and still Irish Rail can't make money. Something doesn't add up. Either too few people are buying tickets or Irish Rail are spectacularly inefficient.

Scrap, car parking changes at stations and people will use the train more. Travelling by bus is just as quick and no car parking changes.

[grainne whale]

Originally Posted by ACustomer

GW: yes, we're the >65s! Don't worry, some day you will benefit too.

Yes, it won't be too far off now, my point is that they are not actually travelling for free (we) have made our contribution over all the years of working.

[comcor]

Originally Posted by grainne whale

Yes, it won't be too far off now, my point is that they are not actually travelling for free (we) have made our contribution over all the year working.

That's fair enough, but the problem is that over 65s have made their contribution to the Government, but the Government haven't handed over a fair share to transportation services.

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by grainne whale

Yes, it won't be too far off now, my point is that they are not actually travelling for free (we) have made our contribution over all the years of working.

Originally Posted by grainne whale

Scrap, car parking changes at stations and people will use the train more. Travelling by bus is just as quick and no car parking changes.

Anything that is free at the point of use is at risk of being misused / abused.

[grainne whale]

Originally Posted by Colm Moore

Anything that is free at the point of use is at risk of being misused / abused.

That may very well be the case - however it discourages people from travelling by train (where I live in Celbridge) nobody is going to drive to the station (1.5 miles from town) and pay for parking on top of the train fare - it's far easier to hop on a bus. There are no parking charges in Clondalkin / Fonthill station and the parking there is not abused.

[Jamie2k9]

There are no parking charges in Clondalkin / Fonthill station and the parking there is not abused.

That's because it's miles from anywhere useful.

I agree parking charges are a problem but regular users get reasonable deals and I think continued promoting of this is required.

[grainne whale]

Originally Posted by Jamie2k9

That's because it's miles from anywhere useful.

I agree parking charges are a problem but regular users get reasonable deals and I think continued promoting of this is required.

Now that would be an idea - free parking where stations 'are miles from anywhere' should be free - ie Hazelhatch/ Celbridge