differing rail prices depending on station

CASEsensitive

On Friday i got the train from heuston to birdhill (in Tipperary) which cost €49 return, however when returning home later that day i noticed that in the station they had advertised a return from birdhill to heuston for €23. when i went in to ask about the price difference the guy said this was to encourage people to use the train.

I just don't get the logic and I'm just wondering how can cie get away with this, i certainly can't see this happening on any other line.

mikemac

Yep, I’ve seen this.
I’ve paid €40 return Dublin to Nenagh while it’s only €25 for Nenagh to Dublin return. €25 return is very good value imo

I posted here and got a detailed explanation that Irish Rail were cutting the fare to try to encourage the service.
As you know, we’re talking about a route on the N7 so it has a very good bus service.
The train is always going to struggle to get business on this branch line so they are trying to get more business.

daymobrew

CASEsensitive wrote: »

I just don't get the logic and I'm just wondering how can cie get away with this, i certainly can't see this happening on any other line.

The fare from Dublin is the normal fare while the lower one is, as the guy said, a lower one to encourage travel on an underused route.

Most businesses will offer discounts to get your business during off peak periods - it's cheaper to stay in a hotel midweek; matinées performances are cheaper; morning cinema showings are cheaper....

KC61

I would suggest that (if you have the time) you read the recent and very interesting Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport discussion of this topic with Dick Fearn, CEO of Irish Rail which deals comprehensively with this.

It can be found at:
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=TRJ20080213.xml&Node=H3#H3