[article] Aiken Promotions in train rip off

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by Irish Independent

The train fares they are a-changin'

A train to take Bob Dylan fans to this weekend's concert in Kilkenny will cost twice the normal fare.

But concert promoters Aiken Promotions say they will make no profit from it.

The promoters hired the train from Iarnrod Eireann because the concert on Saturday is expected to finish late and normal trains will have ceased running.

However, the event train tickets cost €45 (not including €5.65 booking fee) while CIE day return tickets from Dublin range in price from €21.50 to €27.50.

"Aiken are not making any profit on this," said a spokeswoman. "You have to remember hiring a train is expensive and there are extra costs such as the nine level crossings to be manned late at night and security on the train.

"We are not doing this to make money, we are doing it to provide rail transport at a time when there wouldn't otherwise be any."

With 300 seats on the train and the basic ticket price of €45, Aiken will take in €13,500 if they sell all tickets available. Another €1,695 will be taken in booking fees.

Iarnrod Eireann refused to reveal the cost of train hire.
JASON O'BRIEN

© Irish Independent 2006
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=14237

[Mark Gleeson]

Needless to say we have a rough idea how much a train costs (and its only got 4 digits in it) and we know Aiken are pocketing some cash just don't know how much, if people vote with there feet they could end up seriously in the red but its too late to organise

Note Irish Rail do not charge more for such trains, the 00:30 to Cork ran three days in a row two weeks back the fare was within +/- €5 euro of normal, normally a lower fare is charged (I think it was €54 in this case which is less than the normal return)

Problem is since Aiken hired the train Irish Rail don't have another train set to put on (Munster Final following day) and Aiken got one of the only free slots.

Also as we understand the vast bulk of trainsets based in Heuston seat at least 350-360 some up to 525 so 300 is understating the situation

[PaulM]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Needless to say we have a rough idea how much a train costs (and its only got 4 digits in it) and we know Aiken are pocketing some cash just don't know how much

Is it Aiken or IE who are profiting though.....

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by Paul Mulcahy

Is it Aiken or IE who are profiting though.....

Recent experience would suggest Aiken are profiting most since I can't recall Irish Rail charging above normal fares for such a special, note the recent specials for concerts in Dublin which returned at 00:30 and arrived Cork 3:30 am

[Mark Gleeson]

Just to prove the point the RPSI are running a train from Dublin to Ballina 338 miles round trip and they have to hire the coaches and a driver from IE €60, Dublin Rosslare €40, 210 miles round trip, Dublin Wexford €32 for 190 miles round trip, Dublin Arklow €20 for 102 miles. Note the trips must be profitable to fund preservation work. There is a charter Waterford -Dublin - Sligo - Dublin - Rosslare - Waterford, 523 miles for €50 less than 10 cent/mile

Kilkenny is 160 mile round trip Aiken want €50.65 work it out the RPSI can run ancient steam trains for profit for lower fares

Steam train is about 17-19 cent/mile, the Aiken charter is 32 cent/mile, normal fare is 17 cent/mile

There is something very very wrong going on, either Aiken are pocketing the loot or Irish Rail jacked the costs up. Advice clearly is they should have chartered a steam train, progress?

[Mark Gleeson]

Yesterday's Times 21/6/2006

Originally Posted by Irish Times

TRAIN COSTS FOR DYLAN CONCERT
Madam, - This weekend thousands of music fans will travel to Kilkenny to hear Bob Dylan play Nowlan Park.

For fans who do not want to stay the night in the city, State train company Iarnród Éireann has put on the "Kilkenny Express" at the price of €45.

It leaves Dublin on Saturday and returns the same night after the gig.

However, this train can only be booked through the private company Ticketmaster, which also sells tickets to the gig.

Ticketmaster charges €5.95 more on top of each train ticket, bringing the total cost per passenger to €51.95.

When I rang Iarnród Éireann to price a normal Saturday day return ticket to Kilkenny, it quoted me €21.50.

If you want to book in advance over the internet or on the phone, Iarnród Éireann already has its own system in place, for which there is no extra charge.

Firstly, although I accept that there must be extra costs involved in running a one-off, late-night train, why has Iarnród Éireann more than doubled the basic ticket price from €21.50 to €45?

Secondly, and more importantly, when it already has its own booking system in place for which it charges nothing, why has the rail company which is owned by the State - ie, you and me - handed a private company, Ticketmaster, the opportunity to take €5.95 off each person who gets on a publicly owned train? - Yours, etc,

ALAN CAULFIELD, Dalkey, Co Dublin.

It has since become clear that Aiken Promotions has chartered the train

[Kevin K Kelehan]

What do people feel about the point made about Ticketmaster charging €5.95?

In my opinion there must be some additional costs but surely it cannot equate to a doubling of the fare as unlike the Slane situation where many many drivers are required there is one driver; 2-3 station staff a train manager and little else required.

To the best of my knowledge there are no unautomated Level crossings on this line.

[Mark Gleeson]

All they need is 1 driver, 1 guard (in fact might not need a guard), they need two staff in Kilkenny station to supervise. Connolly CTC signal room is manned 24 hours. There are 5 type 'A' level crossings on the line (Athy to Waterford) which according to my information a type 'A' is a user worked gates with no signals. I can't account for the quoted 9

True there are additional costs but €45 is excessive, hell its not €45 its €50.95

If IE were running it normal fares would apply (and a long history to prove that), so either Aiken saw a chance to make a few bob or Aiken said they wanted a charter, Irish Rail of course in that case said no problem and switched from public service to profit mode

[Kevin K Kelehan]

A classic example of rip off ireland

[Mark Gleeson]

Where is Eddie Hobbs when you need him ?

[Kevin K Kelehan]

Spending the loot from his full price book no doubt

[Mark Gleeson]

Madam, - I wish to clarify the arrangements on pricing and the sales channel for the extra service for the Bob Dylan concert in Kilkenny, in response to points raised by Alan Caulfield (Letters, 21st June).

Aitken Promotions, who are concert promoters for the event, have privately chartered this train, and are responsible for the distribution of tickets for this service, as would be the case for any organisation, sports or social group which charters a train from Iarnród Éireann. In this instance, Aitken Promotions are selling tickets for the train directly to concertgoers via Ticketmaster at the fare quoted. - Yours, etc,

BARRY KENNY, Manager, Corporate Communications, Iarnród Éireann, Connolly Station, Dublin 1.

Next question is why Irish Rail are not running the train themselves

[Kevin K Kelehan]

More pertinent if IE do not wish to take the risk of having an empty train is how much they charged Aitkin promotions as the promoter claims to be passing on the cost and not making supernormal profits from the consumer.

[Mark Gleeson]

The Aiken press release was incorrect on a number of points

Can now confirm that the train had at least 356 seats not 300 as Aiken claimed, thats 20% more, it could have had 432 seats but I can't confirm it. Can confirm a guard was not required as a MK3PP set was used on a CTC radio line

We can't account for the level crossings since there are only 5 manual IE staffed gates on the entire line to Waterford not 9 as claimed.

Bottom line public was ripped off, Irish Rail did not as is practice provide the train instead they chartered it out