[Article] Commuters face cash fare hike in 'smart' system

munchkin_utd · 18-10-2010 12:01pm #1

By Paul Melia
Monday October 18 2010
PUBLIC transport operators will hike the price of cash fares to encourage people to switch to the new 'smart card' system.

The cost of using public transport in Dublin will rise from the middle of next year unless people make the switch to the integrated ticketing system (ITS) which will be rolled out in 2011.

Fares on Dublin Bus currently run from €1.15 to €2.30, while DART fares run from €1.40 to €4. But hikes of up to 10pc could be imposed on cash fares next year.

Last night, director of the Integrated Ticketing Project Tim Gaston confirmed that "differential" fares would be used, adding that the cost of switching to a smart card for regular users would not be prohibitive. <snip>
A source said that cash fares were likely to rise from their present levels as opposed to offering a discount on 'smart card' fares.

I'd be in favour of this.
If people paying cash cause increased dwell times at busstops, increasing journey times and cost of travel, then they should pay more.

Ironically, in a normal country where pensioners dont get absolutely everything paid for them entirely by the state, they would be badly affected by the move from cash to smartcard system and the move to increase cash fares would lead to a grey backlash.

In Ireland though they dont pay a cent, cash or virtually, for travel so at least one "vunerable" section of Irelands society wont be on Joe Duffy whinging.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/commuters-face-cash-fare-hike-in-smart-system-2383739.html

trellheim · 18-10-2010 1:39pm

if they miss an opportunity to make everyone tag on and tag off It'll be a waste

Oliver1985 · 18-10-2010 3:46pm

Wonder will they give the oaps smart passes when this happens

munchkin_utd · 18-10-2010 4:26pm

Oliver1985 wrote: »

Wonder will they give the oaps smart passes when this happens

that actually would be a very good idea.
the nation would then have an exact figure on what the travel patterns of pensioners are on the free travel scheme is.

you can never have enough knowledge about what you are giving away for free!!!

foggy_lad · 18-10-2010 4:39pm

munchkin_utd wrote: »

that actually would be a very good idea.
the nation would then have an exact figure on what the travel patterns of pensioners are on the free travel scheme is.

you can never have enough knowledge about what you are giving away for free!!!

as long as no personal information is used otherwise it would be a breach of a persons right to privacy regarding their movements, if they wanted to collect names addresses etc they would have to do this for Every passenger using the smart cards and individual prepaid tickets.

dowlingm · 18-10-2010 6:15pm

The credit card companies can put a hold on a credit card when you have an unusual pattern. Presumably if a pensioner is suddenly using his card on NiteLink several days running or something a flag could be raised and the card temporarily stopped.

ronn · 18-10-2010 6:19pm

Oliver1985 wrote: »

Wonder will they give the oaps smart passes when this happens

and dont forget about the junkies and spongers they get free travel passes:mad:

AlekSmart · 18-10-2010 6:41pm

As long as no personal information is used otherwise it would be a breach of a persons right to privacy regarding their movements, if they wanted to collect names addresses etc they would have to do this for Every passenger using the smart cards and individual prepaid tickets.

Foggy_Lad speaks for many who have genuine fears about their "personal information" being compromised,however it`s also a fact that many millions of people worldwide have absolutely no such worries as long as it gives them the edge in efficient affordable public transport.

Registering an Oyster Card in London allows TfL to make a virtual map of that Oysters useage pattern,which TfL do.

Having a mass store of such real-time travel stats gives any Public Transport agency a head-start in the area of planning and demand/supply matching.

With the Department of Social Protection now (belatedly) committed to Smart Carding the Social Welfare Free-Pass the ability,at long last,to get an accurate picture of the real cost of the Free Travel scheme will prove invaluable in keeping it afloat.

One huge positive aspect will be a sudden and marked drop in numbers attempting to travel for nowt...assuming that is,that the DSP have the sense to invalidate ALL old style passes from D-Day.

Cutting these free-loading spongers adrift will allow the genuine Free Pass holders to retain their entitlements for a good deal longer,whilst perhaps even increasing Cash Fare revenue as these gimps have to dip into their cash-stash and pay the man....:)

However,as we see with today`s announcement,our native Administrative Ethos is to slip in a sneaky one,always ready with the fast little attempt to take more money from the compliant.

The Government,RPA and whatever other collective of Quangos are involved in the Integrated Ticketing Implimentation programme do have an alternative......

Freeze Public Transport Fares at their present levels and offer Smart-Card discounts from those levels,with the Discount level increasing based upon the level of useage to promote sales of season tickets over single journey types.

But no...we have to prove our native cute-hoorism and play the travelling public for fools.

With this little caper already having cost €36 Million,there is absolutely NO excuse for increasing Fares by a single cent in a recession hit country....where did that €36 Million go..?..does anybody care ?

[Article] Commuters face cash fare hike in 'smart' system

Comments