"Rail users to pay €500 per year to park
By Kevin Doyle
Saturday August 23 2008
THE controversial decision by CIE to introduce parking charges at train stations has passed the point of no return.
Despite widespread criticism of the company's decision to force thousands of commuters to fork out up to €500 a year for parking..."
"It will cost €2 a day or a weekly parking ticket will be available for €8."
€8 x 48 weeks is €384. Never let the facts get in the way of a good headline!
Don't see the problem. In the UK, where ripping off is an art form, stations will vary up to £8-10 per day with half decent facilities. Season ticket fares are also significantly higher than here, and there is absolutely no tax concession along the lines of Taxsaver - indeed, a Taxsaver type approach of part payment of wages with a season ticket can actually INCREASE tax liability.
Removing free parking is necessary, particularly with the increase in on-street car parking charges, where station car parks become a haven for those trying to avoid that, with no intention of travelling.
There are always options. Car share. Cycle. Walk. Divorce yourselves from the symbiotic relationship many in this country seem to have with their polluting, inefficent, metal boxes. It may take a little while longer, but the latter certainly will improve your health.
And yes, I do have a car. It sits on the drive most of the week. Does the shopping at weekends, and my wife may use it occasionally during the week - although she noramlly cycles into town. From living in the UK and doing 20000 miles per year, in an area with what here would be seen as good public transport of several modes, we live near a town with little or no public tranpsort, and few major shops - but our car mileage has dropped to less than 10000 miles per year, excluding occasional travel back to the UK. It can be done.
LC
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