New Train Service from Newry

[chris]

Afaik Dun Laoghaire and Bray are on the NI ticketing machines. Most staff don't know this however.

Unlike from the Republic, it is not possible to issue a ticket from N Ireland to any IE station.

[irishsaint]

Originally Posted by chris

Afaik Dun Laoghaire and Bray are on the NI ticketing machines. Most staff don't know this however.

Unlike from the Republic, it is not possible to issue a ticket from N Ireland to any IE station.

You can only purchase a single or return to Dun Laoghaire, Bray or Howth. Not weekly or monthly season tickets.

Tara and Pearse are free (free onward travel for Enterprise Users) but all other DART stations are not on NIR's ticketing system. I have asked them this already.

[Mark Gleeson]

Actually NIR can issue a ticket to any destination, as the price is based on distance bands, the stations at the band edges are programmed in

Fare to the border, then an add on by distance from there

So a return to Blackrock from Belfast is going to be the same price as Dun Laoghaire so they issue Dun Laoghaire (that said Dun Laoghaire is actually hardcoded in since its considered an NIR station on the system - see the 1950 transport act)

The IE crouzet system can cope will all NIR destinations but applies the same calculation logic with the fares, the S&B TVM's are also programmed at Enterprise stations for all NIR destinations.

Based on European experiences we have one of the most integrated cross border fare systems, it is unheard of to be able to through ticket any to any

[irishsaint]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Actually NIR can issue a ticket to any destination, as the price is based on distance bands, the stations at the band edges are programmed in

Fare to the border, then an add on by distance from there

Correspondence from NIR today:

"
Thank you for your e-mail. Our current fare structure does not include weekly fares beyond Dublin however, you do raise a very valid enquiry which we are currently investigating.

At this stage, I would advise that it is likely there would be an increase to your weekly ticket for travel to a DART station from £60.00 to approximately £66.00 (an additional £0.60 per single journey).

Please be assured we are looking into this matter and I will be in contact with you when we have a firm solution.
"

[Mark Gleeson]

The cross border add on matrix (used for all stations beyond Connolly) is purely, single/return

That said Irish Rail taxsaver office has the ability to issue an annual from any station Belfast - Border to anywhere else in Ireland and can quote a price more or less instantly

[irishsaint]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

The cross border add on matrix (used for all stations beyond Connolly) is purely, single/return

That said Irish Rail taxsaver office has the ability to issue an annual from any station Belfast - Border to anywhere else in Ireland and can quote a price more or less instantly

I asked this before (not taxsaver but general ticketing inquiry) and I was told that I could not get a Monthly from GCD to Newry. I was told I could get Lansdowne to Newry. I can't remember the price but it was not worth it compared to NIR price + 7 Day Rolling DART. It is great for anyone who can avail of the taxsaver though.

[chris]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Actually NIR can issue a ticket to any destination, as the price is based on distance bands, the stations at the band edges are programmed in

I appreciate that this might be the case, but NIR staff genuinely don't know it – including the manager of the Adelaide call centre and Enterprise ticket checkers.

[Mark Gleeson]

I've been told straight to the face by the NIR Rail General Manager that it couldn't be done, only for the clerk in Belfast Central to say it was no problem.

Needless to say that issue has gone as high as the North/South body

[Thomas Ralph]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

I've been told straight to the face by the NIR Rail General Manager that it couldn't be done, only for the clerk in Belfast Central to say it was no problem.

Needless to say that issue has gone as high as the North/South body

The NIR website will gladly price up tickets from anywhere in the North to an assortment of major ROI stations. Rarely however will the fares at the booking office be competitive with web fares.

[Mark Gleeson]

That only appeared after the meetings took place in Belfast and Dublin

Needless to say higher powers were very interested when myself and Thomas Stamp started to expose the abilities of the system. Both IE and NIR seemed to be hiding it in an attempt to fish for cash for a fancy integrated ticketing solution