Explain the logic of this?

thesis86

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flippin nora - never knew there was such a difference :eek:

I'll remember that in future - thx!

KC61

thesis86 wrote: »

Ok, so I'm a postgrad student from Wicklow who travels weekly by train from Cork to Dublin. I knew Irish Rail had a reputation for letting customers down but only had first-hand experience of it today.
I was going to get the 1730 Cork to Dublin train tonight. Went online at internet kiosk in the station to buy my ticket (normally priced at €33, reaspnable enough), unfortunately online bookings close half an hour before trains depart. I knew I'd pay more at the ticket counter, but when she asked for €59, I had to do a double-take :eek: Told her to stick it in the nicest possible way and give me my money back, but I was so angry. Went back to internet kiosk and booked my ticket for the 1830, priced at €33:cool:. My problem is, what about those who are unaware of or are unable to access the online service? They're paying dearly when they don't have to!

The EUR 33 ticket is an online ticket promotion that has been advertised in the national press on several occasions.

parsi

So - it's news that booking (anything) online is cheaper than at a ticket desk ? Try getting a 1c flight from Ryanair (or any airline) at the ticket desk...

Wishbone Ash

thesis86 wrote: »

Ok, so I'm a postgrad student from Wicklow who travels weekly by train from Cork to Dublin. I knew Irish Rail had a reputation for letting customers down but only had first-hand experience of it today.
I was going to get the 1730 Cork to Dublin train tonight. Went online at internet kiosk in the station to buy my ticket (normally priced at €33, reaspnable enough), unfortunately online bookings close half an hour before trains depart. I knew I'd pay more at the ticket counter, but when she asked for €59, I had to do a double-take :eek: Told her to stick it in the nicest possible way and give me my money back, but I was so angry. Went back to internet kiosk and booked my ticket for the 1830, priced at €33:cool:. My problem is, what about those who are unaware of or are unable to access the online service? They're paying dearly when they don't have to!

It's very simple to explain:

Online - no staff
Ticket desk - staff

Staff require wages.

No brainer.

ThOnda

But the staff is there to DO the service. And they will be sitting there either filing their nails or providing quality service. What is better for customers?

fitzyshea

This is a no brainer. Most major transport companies do this. It is (most of the time) cheaper to book online. The staff filing there nails will eventually be moved on to different jobs hopefully. As long as the ticket is cheaper thats all I care about.

DWCommuter

To the OP.

This is the wrong place to ask a question like that as most with an interest in answering it may think the internet is a sacred entity that reflects an alternate reality to the one the rest of us live in.

I sympathise with you and can only say that IE is a state company that receives an annual subsidy, blighted by industrial unrest, prehistoric HR and disgraceful management. So any comparisons with Ryanair or any other part of the private sector really isn't worth a ****. In relation to the Ryanair comparison, remember that a plane has only so many seats, while our train service does not guarantee a seat, permits standing and is not accountable to any maximum load capacity issues that are monitored and enforced by law.

So IE's fare descrepencies between ticket office and internet, along with it being a state backed monopoly, are nothing short of daylight robbery. But to understand this you have to have a brain and heart that operates in a world where it is recognised that IEs social responsibility as provided for in a transport act from long ago, is already ignored to the detriment of tax paying customers that have no access to the internet.

Guy:Incognito

Explain the logic of THIS: deleting the contents of you OP when it's already been quoted twice in full.:)