[Article] Irish Rail lands in rough over Ryder Cup fares

Mark · 25-08-2006, 08:22

Irish indo

STATE-OWNED Irish Rail was accused last night of jumping on the Ryder Cup rip-off bandwagon by charging close to six times the normal fare for train and bus transfers between Dublin and the K Club in Co Kildare.

CIE, which owns Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann, issued a glowing press release yesterday announcing that its combined companies would be mounting the largest public transport operation since Pope John Paul II's visit in 1979 in order to shuttle spectators, players and media to the Ryder Cup next month.

But what it didn't say was that not only is CIE receiving €1.3m from the Ryder Cup itself to provide bus services to and from a specially designated site in west Dublin, but normal ticket holders travelling to the K-Club from Dublin city centre are being charged well above the standard train fare for the privilege.

A standard return journey from Dublin's Connolly station to Leixlip's Louisa Bridge costs €3.50 for an adult and €1.80 for a child.

However, Ryder Cup ticket holders taking advantage of Irish Rail's combined package that includes return rail service to and from Leixlip and a shuttle bus 13km away to the K Club are being charged €20 a ticket for adults and children alike.

A standard local taxi that can accommodate four passengers is charging a regular fare of €30 each way to ferry passengers between Leixlip and the K Club.

But Irish Rail spokesman Barry Kenny denied the fares were exorbitant.

"We have additional costs to hire the buses and we have to hire additional staff and security. We are the only dedicated service from the city centre to the K-club. We do have significant costs with the operation."

He said the cost was also in line with the €20 that was reportedly being charged for users of the park and ride service.

Officials from Ryder Cup Travel Services, who are running the operation, were unavailable for comment. However, Mr Kenny conceded Irish Rail would be making a profit on the operation. "We'd hope to make a small commercial return," he said.

But Dermot Jewell, spokesman for the Consumers Association of Ireland, said the fares being charged for the rail and bus services were pure price-gouging. "What makes it even more repellent is that it is being conducted by a state-run company, despite the pleas last week by Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue urging businesses not to hike up their prices in order to cash in on the Ryder Cup," he said.

"It most certainly goes against the grain of the request Minister O'Donoghue has made not to take advantage of the Ryder Cup. It's just profiteering and it's quite unacceptable," he added.

Some 45,000 spectators are expected to attend the tournament each day.

Allison Bray

Thomas J Stamp · 29-08-2006, 15:15

The really interesting point is that IE announced these fares months ago, if not May in fact, and the Irish indo only noticed it now.

More to the point I'm shocked and appalled that Barry Kenny didnt get Allison Bray to menetion the upcoming new Adamstown Station, the Kildare Route Project, the intorduction of Hourly trains to Cork, the intoduction of 8 car DARTS, the introduction of new improved top of the range services to Limerick, Galway and Sligo, new fleet of intercity rail cars, all of which Treacy Hogan would have slipped in at the end of the copy had he written that.

Standards are slipping at the Indo.

Mark Gleeson · 31-08-2006, 18:02

Of course this has been going on for years and strangely when I asked around people where more than happy to pay the 20 euro

Quote:

A LARGE fleet of Bus Eireann coaches will carry music fans to the Electric Picnic in Stradbally Hall Co Laois this weekend.

They will depart from Customs House Quay hourly on Friday between 10am and 3pm. On Saturday buses depart from 10am to 2pm. Coaches will return to Dublin on Sunday and on Monday morning. Tickets are €25 return and must be booked

Irish Indo 2006

Its 50 odd miles down €25 will someone critise this ?

Rashers · 21-09-2006, 19:27

All the trains are sold out for Saturday morning - I've seen visitors on a Ryder cup related website now stuck as to how to get out there.
You would have throught IE could have provided extra services then, as it's not in the Monday-Friday peak...
Ah well - no doubt the aim was to tell everyone how the services sold out, so how great they were, rather then actually be able to say, we were able to provide everyone who needed to travel with transport.
With Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus banned from providing competitor services, looks like IE have the monopoly on this one.....

Mark Gleeson · 21-09-2006, 19:52

I'd say they are more limited by bus transfers on the far side and for 20 euro you might want to get a seat, 8 coach train has 336 seats, 4 bus loads, now try 1200 thats 15 buses

Saturday service is the exact same as Friday, seats still left on the early trains Saturday and Sunday, full service on Sunday morning.

Principle restriction on operation is the availabilty of drivers

Rashers · 21-09-2006, 20:46

Am I right in thinking they are only 4 car services, so if they ran 8 car services, that would double capacity without any extra drivers. But yes the bus transfer remains an issue. Still a couple of extra buses could have sorted it. Plus for once the revenue and EUR20 per person would be good

25-08-2006, 08:22	#1
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Northern line Posts: 1,311	[Article] Irish Rail lands in rough over Ryder Cup fares Irish indo STATE-OWNED Irish Rail was accused last night of jumping on the Ryder Cup rip-off bandwagon by charging close to six times the normal fare for train and bus transfers between Dublin and the K Club in Co Kildare. CIE, which owns Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann, issued a glowing press release yesterday announcing that its combined companies would be mounting the largest public transport operation since Pope John Paul II's visit in 1979 in order to shuttle spectators, players and media to the Ryder Cup next month. But what it didn't say was that not only is CIE receiving €1.3m from the Ryder Cup itself to provide bus services to and from a specially designated site in west Dublin, but normal ticket holders travelling to the K-Club from Dublin city centre are being charged well above the standard train fare for the privilege. A standard return journey from Dublin's Connolly station to Leixlip's Louisa Bridge costs €3.50 for an adult and €1.80 for a child. However, Ryder Cup ticket holders taking advantage of Irish Rail's combined package that includes return rail service to and from Leixlip and a shuttle bus 13km away to the K Club are being charged €20 a ticket for adults and children alike. A standard local taxi that can accommodate four passengers is charging a regular fare of €30 each way to ferry passengers between Leixlip and the K Club. But Irish Rail spokesman Barry Kenny denied the fares were exorbitant. "We have additional costs to hire the buses and we have to hire additional staff and security. We are the only dedicated service from the city centre to the K-club. We do have significant costs with the operation." He said the cost was also in line with the €20 that was reportedly being charged for users of the park and ride service. Officials from Ryder Cup Travel Services, who are running the operation, were unavailable for comment. However, Mr Kenny conceded Irish Rail would be making a profit on the operation. "We'd hope to make a small commercial return," he said. But Dermot Jewell, spokesman for the Consumers Association of Ireland, said the fares being charged for the rail and bus services were pure price-gouging. "What makes it even more repellent is that it is being conducted by a state-run company, despite the pleas last week by Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue urging businesses not to hike up their prices in order to cash in on the Ryder Cup," he said. "It most certainly goes against the grain of the request Minister O'Donoghue has made not to take advantage of the Ryder Cup. It's just profiteering and it's quite unacceptable," he added. Some 45,000 spectators are expected to attend the tournament each day. Allison Bray

29-08-2006, 15:15	#2
Thomas J Stamp Chairman/Publicity Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Home of Hurling Posts: 2,708	The really interesting point is that IE announced these fares months ago, if not May in fact, and the Irish indo only noticed it now. More to the point I'm shocked and appalled that Barry Kenny didnt get Allison Bray to menetion the upcoming new Adamstown Station, the Kildare Route Project, the intorduction of Hourly trains to Cork, the intoduction of 8 car DARTS, the introduction of new improved top of the range services to Limerick, Galway and Sligo, new fleet of intercity rail cars, all of which Treacy Hogan would have slipped in at the end of the copy had he written that. Standards are slipping at the Indo. __________________ We are the passengers

21-09-2006, 19:27	#4
Rashers Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 431	Sold Out All the trains are sold out for Saturday morning - I've seen visitors on a Ryder cup related website now stuck as to how to get out there. You would have throught IE could have provided extra services then, as it's not in the Monday-Friday peak... Ah well - no doubt the aim was to tell everyone how the services sold out, so how great they were, rather then actually be able to say, we were able to provide everyone who needed to travel with transport. With Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus banned from providing competitor services, looks like IE have the monopoly on this one.....

21-09-2006, 19:52	#5
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	I'd say they are more limited by bus transfers on the far side and for 20 euro you might want to get a seat, 8 coach train has 336 seats, 4 bus loads, now try 1200 thats 15 buses Saturday service is the exact same as Friday, seats still left on the early trains Saturday and Sunday, full service on Sunday morning. Principle restriction on operation is the availabilty of drivers Last edited by Mark Gleeson : 21-09-2006 at 19:59.

21-09-2006, 20:46	#6
Rashers Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 431	Short trains Am I right in thinking they are only 4 car services, so if they ran 8 car services, that would double capacity without any extra drivers. But yes the bus transfer remains an issue. Still a couple of extra buses could have sorted it. Plus for once the revenue and EUR20 per person would be good

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