Dundalk - City Quay commute.

jc2008

Hi,

does anyone know the best to commute from Dundalk to City Quay (just beside Samuel Beckett bridge)? I've been lucky and got a job there for the summer, I start at 9am and finish at 17.30 each day, 5 days a week.

As far as I know my possible options are
1) Matthews bus in the morning to IFSC, 10 minute walk from there. This leaves at 7.00am and arrives at 8.25am. However, the last IFSC-Dundalk bus leaves at 17.30, so I'll have to walk to Parnell Street as I'll miss that one.

2) Bus Eireann 100x which takes me to Custom House Quay (as far as I know),

3) Train, arriving at Connolly or Tara Street. Does anyone know how much this option will cost? As far as I can see, Dundalk is in the 'Giant Hop' zone but I can't find how much it would be for a monthly ticket.

I should note that it's a student job, so I'm not sure if I'm eligible for tax saver tickets, but I will be able to get student fares if they are available!
Has anyone done a similar commute? Any advice?

Losty Dublin

http://commuter.matthews.ie/images/pdf/IFSC_Timetable.pdf

http://www.irishrail.ie/index.jsp?p=118&n=199

The two most direct routes. Call Matthew's for fare information for yourself; they offer tax saver rates for 3 months.

jc2008

Thanks for those links. I had seen the IFSC timetable, and unfortuneatly I will finish too late to make the bus back to Dundalk in the evening, but I assuming that IFSC tickets can be used on the Parnell Street services, and vice versa - this is usually the norm with Matthews!

The Irish Rail link doesn't display student prices (for weekly or monthly), I'll probably have to fill in an enquiry form.

I know Matthews will be €55 a week as I'm a student, and Irish Rail is probably more. What I don't know is if student rates are cheaper than taxsaver rates! Is it your employer you have to go through to get taxsaver tickets - do all companies support this? I'm only a summer intern, so I'm not sure I could be considered an 'employee'.

Mark200

jc2008 wrote: »

Thanks for those links. I had seen the IFSC timetable, and unfortuneatly I will finish too late to make the bus back to Dundalk in the evening, but I assuming that IFSC tickets can be used on the Parnell Street services, and vice versa - this is usually the norm with Matthews!

The Irish Rail link doesn't display student prices (for weekly or monthly), I'll probably have to fill in an enquiry form.

I know Matthews will be €55 a week as I'm a student, and Irish Rail is probably more. What I don't know is if student rates are cheaper than taxsaver rates! Is it your employer you have to go through to get taxsaver tickets - do all companies support this? I'm only a summer intern, so I'm not sure I could be considered an 'employee'.

It'd probably be your employer that you need to ask about the taxpayer rates. If they're a somewhat large company then they probably do it. I'd imagine you are considered an employee,however you probably wont be paying tax since I assume you won't be earning a lot so I'd say that probably means you won't get a discount? Not 100% sure how it works

LXFlyer

For Dundalk-Dublin:

Irish Rail student fares - Weekly €62.30 and Monthly €196.50

Bus Eireann 10 Journey Ticket - €42.75 if bought online

The 100X does serve Georges Quay and Custom House Quay.

jc2008

Thanks for that lxflyer! Plenty of options so, now just to choose the best.

Bus Eireann is quite cheap, surprised at that. I'm now thinking Matthews bus to IFSC in the morning, and Bus Eireann on the way home, cost of (55+42.75)/2 = €49 a week. (Edit: not a possibility, as Bus Eireann 10 trip tickets last only 7 consecutive days, not forever like Matthews bus!)

For anyone who gets the Matthews bus IFSC service in the evenings, preferably the later one, does it usually be full by the time it gets to AIG? I predict it'll be about a 7-10 minute walk to AIG, so if I sprint it I might make it :P However, the evening bus starts at Amiens Street, not Sheriff Street, so it won't take long to get to Amiens street.

Thanks for the help everyone!