Newbridge to Heuston (with bike)

Kiith

Can anyone tell me how much a monthly ticket from Newbridge to Heuston costs? I'm thinking of commuting soon, to save some money for travelling, and can't seem to find the pricing on the Irish Rail site. Nm, found the pricing (it's €195 per month btw).

Also, since i work in Sandyford, i was thinking i'd bring my bike on the train with me every day and cycle to work (i already cycle from Christchurch to Sandyford). But on their site they say it's €6 a day to reserve a bike spot. This seems pretty extortionate, so is there a monthly type fare that i could pay? Or, worst come to worst, somewhere (relatively) secure that i could leave it locked in Hueston?

Losty Dublin

There is a bike rank at Heuston station so you could use it. The 145 bus leaves from Heuston and heads up the N 11 if it's any use to you.

LeftBlank

You won't need a ticket for the bike from Newbridge to Heuston. There is racks for bikes on the trains but they are massively oversubscribed. Only 2/3 racks per train usually and there can be anything up to 10 bikes on them.

Kiith

So i don't need to reserve a spot, but do i still need to pay for the bike on the train every day?

I'm not sure i'd be able to hack a train and 2 luas journey's every morning to get to work, and the bike is the only real option at the moment. I don't trust leaving it at a bike stand, as it's a fairly expensive bike.

foggy_lad

Kiith wrote: »

So i don't need to reserve a spot, but do i still need to pay for the bike on the train every day?

I'm not sure i'd be able to hack a train and 2 luas journey's every morning to get to work, and the bike is the only real option at the moment. I don't trust leaving it at a bike stand, as it's a fairly expensive bike.

The bike will be allowed free at off peak times and you can usually place it in the end car at the drivers door where it should be out of the way if all the bike rack spaces are taken. Yuo may be stopped from taking your bike on peak time trains dependant on the number of passengers travelling.

Could you buy an old bike and leave it in Heuston for getting to work?

Kiith

It would be peak times (7am and 6pm ish), so i guess that idea is out. I could get an old bike, but i don't fancy that cycle on a crappy bike. I guess i'm just being picky.

I suppose i could get a Dublin Bike to the luas though. Any word on if they plan on putting a stand at Heuston?

kc56

Folding bikes may be taken free of charge on any train.

There's some construction work at Heuston at present which 'could' be DublinBikes related.

bk

Kiith wrote: »

I suppose i could get a Dublin Bike to the luas though. Any word on if they plan on putting a stand at Heuston?

Yes this is planned for the next phase of Dublni Bikes. No schedule for when it would happen.

A crappy old second hand bike with a decent lock is your best bet.

foggy_lad

kc56 wrote: »

Folding bikes may be taken free of charge on any train.

There's some construction work at Heuston at present which 'could' be DublinBikes related.

The works at Heuston could be for Dublin Bikes but couls also be for Bike lockers as seen at other railway stations.

bk

foggy_lad wrote: »

The works at Heuston could be for Dublin Bikes but couls also be for Bike lockers as seen at other railway stations.

Where are the works taking place?

If at the back of Hueston by the current bike stands, then I would expect bike lockers.

If at the front of Hueston (or the side) then I would expect Dublin Bikes. OR something else totally unrelated.

kc56

Works are on the Luas Plaza

bijapos

You can pick up a decent second hand bike for €100-150. If you want you can throw a bit of paint on it, tape up the saddle to make it tatty and it will get less attention. If any of you're tyres need replacing then make sure they are a different colour to each other. The bike will look a bit tatty and a thief will tend to ignore it. Get a good lock all the same.

Bike parking at Heuston is, IMO safe, I've often left a bike there for the weekend with no problems. You can cycle to Stephens Green and park the bike there or cycle to Harcourt St which might be safer for the bike, though I'm not aware of any amount of trouble at Stephens Green during the day. Alternatively cycle some or all of the way to Sandyford, Milltown Luas is a safe place to park duting the day as well.

Taking the bike on the train every day will be expensive and a pain.

LeftBlank

foggy_lad wrote: »

The bike will be allowed free at off peak times and you can usually place it in the end car at the drivers door where it should be out of the way if all the bike rack spaces are taken. Yuo may be stopped from taking your bike on peak time trains dependant on the number of passengers travelling.

The bike will also be allowed on free during peak times. And I've never seen anyone being stopped from taking a bike on board, even when there were already 10+ bikes on the train.

Kiith

LeftBlank wrote: »

The bike will also be allowed on free during peak times. And I've never seen anyone being stopped from taking a bike on board, even when there were already 10+ bikes on the train.

And if i can get in on, do i need to pay for it? Or do you only pay when booking a spot?

Thanks for all the advice btw folks...much appreciated.

LeftBlank

Kiith wrote: »

And if i can get in on, do i need to pay for it? Or do you only pay when booking a spot?

Thanks for all the advice btw folks...much appreciated.

You won't need to pay for it. Even the bikes in the racks aren't paid for.

According to the rules, you should pay for it. But honestly, no-one cares.

Kiith

LeftBlank wrote: »

You won't need to pay for it. Even the bikes in the racks aren't paid for.

According to the rules, you should pay for it. But honestly, no-one cares.

Cool, thanks for that. Might give it a test run in the next week or so, and see if i can get through a full week bringing the bike.