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Nitelink price increase

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    #32
    John R
    Registered Users Posts: 4,107 ✭✭✭John R


    TommyShannon wrote: »

    The simple truth here is that Dublin Bus have a complete monopoly on pubic transport in Dublin after 12.30am, they therefore can charge and will charge what they like! Think about it, why do you have to pay €5 for a journey after 12.30am that only costs €1.70 in the afternoon.

    Because as has already been said, bus services in the daytime are subsidised.

    this daytime operator isn't subsidised and they charge €4.50 for a single journey Blanchardstown-Swords.

    There has been an open invitation for private operators to run bus services for nearly 10 years now, don't you think that if there was a business case for someone to operate against Nitelink and undercut the prices it would have happened already? As I pointed out the only other night bus operator in Dublin also charges €5 and has done for some time.
    TommyShannon wrote: »
    In London if you buy a day travelcard it is valid on ANY service up until 4.30am the next morning. If you buy a day travelcard in Dublin it's only valid until midnight. This is so Dublin Bus can rip you off after midnight when it's hard to get a taxi.

    Bus services in London are heavily subsidised and are all paid for centrally. The night buses are not required to pay their full costs, if they were the fares would be much higher than they are now.

    The London government realises the importance of a high quality bus network as a major part of the city's transport infrastructure and has been investing money and resources into it to make that happen.


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    #33
    Corruptedmorals
    Registered Users Posts: 4,194 ✭✭✭Corruptedmorals


    There should have been a notice...AND student tickets aren't valid on nitelinks. (Are Ramblers?). Yeah obviously it's better than the €35/40 Leixlip taxi fare. I don't think the fares should be staged as they are in the daytime (Chapelizard?:D). €4 for most places, €6 for really far out was fair to me. Having them all the same is a bit stupid really.


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    #34
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,245 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    Corruptedmorals wrote: »
    There should have been a notice
    You insult me! :p:)

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=55208139&postcount=24
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=55232036&postcount=25
    ...AND student tickets aren't valid on nitelinks.
    This would shove up the price of student tickets. Some people may not be able to afford such an increase.
    (Are Ramblers?).
    No. I think only the annual ticket is.


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    #35
    Xavi6
    Registered Users Posts: 40,861 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    IanCurtis wrote: »
    Correct Tommy.

    And they have to pay for "security"?

    What security? The nitelink is a bloody free-for-all for scumbags. The service is pathetic.

    Then don't use it! Queue for your overpriced taxi if you want.

    Personally I think the nitelink is a great service. A fiver to get home or twenty five in a taxi? Tough call......


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    #36
    Corruptedmorals
    Registered Users Posts: 4,194 ✭✭✭Corruptedmorals


    Victor wrote: »
    You insult me! :p:)

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=55208139&postcount=24
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=55232036&postcount=25

    Ah, but I didn't have internet access on Westmoreland street at 2 in the morning..:)
    This would shove up the price of student tickets. Some people may not be able to afford such an increase.

    They've already been shoved up 70cent!


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    #37
    Sarn
    Registered Users Posts: 3,059 ✭✭✭Sarn


    I have to say I find the Nitelink a great service. The only problem I've had was the occasional lack of ticket buses when I've had no change. :mad:
    Thankfully I just got an annual bus ticket, so as mentioned above it's even better value (the ticket that is).

    I imagine the old €4 nitelink tickets will work for a while (I've been using €3.20 2-easy tickets (€1.60 fare) up until now).


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    #38
    paulm17781
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,858 ✭✭✭paulm17781


    TommyShannon wrote: »
    I see the point above being made that the bus will run back to town empty! It doesn't have to, could DB not apply to the DoT for a licence to pick up pax on the way back into town, or maybe they have done already??

    I've serious issue with the fact that the nightlink doesn't stop in the suburbs aswell. The fare would not have to be €5 if DB could make money on people going home after midnight within the suburbs.

    This has always bothered me. I live in the city and have an annual ticket, if I could get the nightlink back to town it would save me a fortune in taxi fares.

    I'm sure someone will be along with a "valid" reason for this. :rolleyes:


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    #39
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,463 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    One thing however, isn't the Nitelink partly subsidised?

    After all the bus itself (the most expensive part as others have already pointed out) has already been paid for by the tax payer for daytime operations.

    Therefore it is just the cost of fuel, driver (including overtime), cleaning and maintenance (which probably use standard DB subsidised staff anyway).

    So €5 seems overkill to me.

    No wonder only one private operator can compete.

    Personally I never get it anymore, just €11 -€12 for a taxi for me, when shared only a €1 more expensive then the awful nitelink.


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    #40
    Run_to_da_hills
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭Run_to_da_hills


    bk wrote: »
    One thing however, isn't the Nitelink partly subsidised?

    After all the bus itself (the most expensive part as others have already pointed out) has already been paid for by the tax payer for daytime operations.

    Therefore it is just the cost of fuel, driver (including overtime), cleaning and maintenance (which probably use standard DB subsidised staff anyway).

    So €5 seems overkill to me.

    No wonder only one private operator can compete.

    Personally I never get it anymore, just €11 -€12 for a taxi for me, when shared only a €1 more expensive then the awful nitelink.
    Not for someone living out in Shankhill travelling back on his own who could be charged up to 30 for a taxi back. Well and good if there is a group of you.

    If you were living in London you pay the minimum fare of 4quid (e5.25) just to go a couple of hundred yards in a tube in Zone 1. Travel cards are due to be phased out in the not so distant future and will be replaced by prepayed registered Oystercard. These smart cards like the ones CIE are introducing infring on your civil liberties because they keep track of all your movements.

    http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Travel/Transport/London/Underground.htm#TicketPrices2008


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    #41
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,245 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    Sarn wrote: »
    I have to say I find the Nitelink a great service. The only problem I've had was the occasional lack of ticket buses when I've had no change. :mad:
    As I said already! http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=55208139&postcount=24 :D
    bk wrote: »
    One thing however, isn't the Nitelink partly subsidised? After all the bus itself (the most expensive part as others have already pointed out) has already been paid for by the tax payer for daytime operations. Therefore it is just the cost of fuel, driver (including overtime), cleaning and maintenance (which probably use standard DB subsidised staff anyway).
    Everything gets separated - hours, litres, km, €. The buses used are billed by the km or hour. Dublin bus owns some of its own buses.
    So €5 seems overkill to me. No wonder only one private operator can compete.
    Surely if it is overkill, other operators would be in like a flash at €4? They aren't.
    paulm17781 wrote: »
    This has always bothered me. I live in the city and have an annual ticket, if I could get the nightlink back to town it would save me a fortune in taxi fares.I'm sure someone will be along with a "valid" reason for this. :rolleyes:
    Quite simple for two reasons:

    1. You'll have all sorts of drunk idiot arguing the normal fare is €1.05.
    2. Drunk idiot will start fights when they aren't allowed on. At least with a city centre terminus and pick up points outside garda stations, this can be minimised.


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    #42
    Mucco
    Registered Users Posts: 714 ✭✭✭Mucco


    Run_to_da_hills wrote: »
    If you were living in London you pay the minimum fare of 4quid (e5.25) just to go a couple of hundred yards in a tube in Zone 1. These smart cards .... infring on your civil liberties because they keep track of all your movements.

    It's only £4 without an oyster, you have to be a bit thick to pay it. Plus I don't buy this civil liberties rubbish, I registered my oysters (I have about 4) with false names. Most people carry a mobile phone in any case.
    Night buses are 90p


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    #43
    Demonique
    Registered Users Posts: 2,803 ✭✭✭Demonique


    Can you use social welfare travel passes on the Night Link? Do they go through Fairview?


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    #44
    Run_to_da_hills
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭Run_to_da_hills


    Mucco wrote: »
    It's only £4 without an oyster, you have to be a bit thick to pay it. Plus I don't buy this civil liberties rubbish, I registered my oysters (I have about 4) with false names. Most people carry a mobile phone in any case. Night buses are 90p
    They are working on it. In the press recently the Home Office wanted a registered ID card system on all public transport including trains ship and internal flights. The Oyster card is programmible and may in time be made required to have additional information. I had great difficulty applying for my Oystercard a few years ago because I was using a Dublin address which has no post code.


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    #45
    IanCurtis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,004 ✭✭✭IanCurtis


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    Then don't use it! Queue for your overpriced taxi if you want.

    Personally I think the nitelink is a great service. A fiver to get home or twenty five in a taxi? Tough call......

    I don't use it because it's pathetic :rolleyes:

    €25 for a taxi? You're living too far out out of the city.


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    #46
    GenericUser
    Closed Accounts Posts: 41 ✭GenericUser


    May I say a big congratulations to dublin bus for not advertising their nightlink fare increase. I am delighted to know that Dublin bus have so much confidence in the prosperity of the irish nation, that they think we are all sitting in town with our laptops on a saturday night checking www.dublinbus.ie for the latest information. Once again, Bualadh bos (bus).
    I havent got a problem with the price increase. Its still far better value than the 20 odd quid it costs me to get a taxi home.
    What I will say is this.
    With the exception of the friday and saturday services, the times the buses leave at is pretty poor. 12.30 pm is fine, an hour after pub closing time.
    Next bus isnt till 2 am. So if you want to stay out a bit longer, you have to wait 90 mins extra. After that you are fecked, no option but to get taxi. I my opinion we need a weekday service (including sundays) of at least 12.30, 1.30, 2.30, and 3.30.
    DublinBus will argue the lack of economic viability, however a decent night bus service should be in the name of public service rather than profit making. Security needs would be minimal (in comparison to weekends).
    I would like to add, that it is not just drunks or drinkers who get the nightlink home, people do work in town ya know!
    In addition a skeleton night service into town would be quite welcome.
    I would like to see it run on a trial service perhaps with 2 person operated buses to account for extra security. Again as a public service!

    As a final note, I recently returned home from a week in berlin. WHile i know we dont have the benefits of the remnants of an ex communist state public transport system, it was a great eye opener to see all trams and S bahn trains running 24 hours a day at a frequency of 30 mins at night. The passenger load was minimal, but the service is run as you guessed it, a public service.


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    #47
    KC61
    Registered Users Posts: 4,316 ✭✭✭KC61


    IanCurtis wrote: »
    I don't use it because it's pathetic :rolleyes:

    €25 for a taxi? You're living too far out out of the city.

    It's EUR 18 in a taxi to Dundrum/Ballinteer and that is hardly that far from the city!

    Like the earlier poster EUR 5 is still very reasonable for me!

    Better still is with my annual pass it's free!


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    #48
    Run_to_da_hills
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭Run_to_da_hills


    Do Nightlink give dole concessions? :D


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    #49
    seamus
    Registered Users Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    IanCurtis wrote: »
    I don't use it because it's pathetic :rolleyes:

    €25 for a taxi? You're living too far out out of the city.
    So you can pay €25 for a taxi or €1500 for a ****ty apartment paying off someone else's mortgage? :rolleyes:

    If you don't like the nitelink, don't get it. Simple as. There are plenty of options. If a taxi only costs you €10 or €12 then you can't live much further than the canals. So walk and save yourself the money.


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    #50
    January
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,865 ✭✭✭✭January


    IanCurtis wrote: »

    €25 for a taxi? You're living too far out out of the city.

    Excuse us for not being able to afford an apartment near the city. We apologize.

    I think the fare is fair, €5 euro to Blanchardstown or Swords is a lot better than the €25 euro it costs in a taxi.


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    #51
    Diairist
    Registered Users Posts: 365 ✭✭Diairist


    Maybe they were told to make it more expensive to encourage competition? Like the ESB price increase (which didn't work).


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    #52
    Stark
    Registered Users Posts: 20,892 ✭✭✭✭Stark


    They've been struggling to recoup their costs for a while now. They've already had to scale back the service to cut down on loss making trips.


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    #53
    Spook_ie
    Registered Users Posts: 10,896 ✭✭✭✭Spook_ie


    seamus wrote: »
    Still way better than queueing for an hour at a jammed taxi rank only to pay some surly wanker €20 for a 6 mile trip.

    Get your self some friends ( if you have any! ) then 4 people in the taxi would only be €5 each, to the door


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    #54
    Stark
    Registered Users Posts: 20,892 ✭✭✭✭Stark


    Spook_ie wrote: »
    Get your self some friends ( if you have any! ) then 4 people in the taxi would only be €5 each, to the door

    Assuming that he only socialises with his 3 housemates. Most of the people I go out with tend to be scattered all over the city.


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    #55
    seamus
    Registered Users Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Stark wrote: »
    Assuming that he only socialises with his 3 housemates. Most of the people I go out with tend to be scattered all over the city.
    Indeed. Most of my mates don't live in the same general area as me. To drop us all home would cost upwards of €50. Still more expensive than the nitelink.


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    #56
    Xavi6
    Registered Users Posts: 40,861 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    IanCurtis wrote: »
    I don't use it because it's pathetic :rolleyes:

    €25 for a taxi? You're living too far out out of the city.

    €25 to Australia isn't too bad to be fair :p

    Ah no it was €25 to Carpenterstown in Castleknock which is a 20 min drive max at that hour.


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    #57
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,245 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    OK, chill out folks.
    Demonique wrote: »
    Can you use social welfare travel passes on the Night Link?
    No. It is strictly a commercial service
    Do they go through Fairview?
    Yes.
    Run_to_da_hills wrote: »
    Do Nightlink give dole concessions? :D
    No.


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