Mullingar - Dublin commute

stargirl28

Hi

I will start commuting from mullingar to Dublin tomorrow and I have a monthly taxsaver leap card. I went to the station yesterday to check it out (check what platform to be on etc!) but the offices were closed. I didn't notice any smart card reader in the station. Can anyone shed some light please? Where do I 'tag on' in the mornings? Thanks!

Carawaystick

Do you have a monthly ticket that covers the trip from Mullingar to Dublin, or a short hop monthly ticket?
I didn't think leap works outside the short hop zone for trips to Dublin.

LXFlyer

First of all there is no such thing as "a monthly taxsaver leap card".

A LEAP card is just that - a card.

It can be used in two modes:
1) Paying for travel on a pay-as-you-go basis using the e-purse
As an e-purse by loading money onto the card and then using it on the services listed here (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057381954) in pay-as-you-go mode.

2) Loading tickets onto the card
You can load up to five different ticket products onto the card that offer unlimited travel on public transport services - again they are listed at the link above.

So what you have is a LEAP card, with, presumably a monthly Mullingar-Dublin rail only ticket loaded onto it, that you purchased through the taxsaver scheme.

As for how you use it, well there is no smartcard reader at Mullingar as it is outside the short hop zone. You just show your card to the ticket checker on the train (if there is one), and he should have a reader capable of seeing your ticket, and then use it to open the gates at Connolly.

Perhaps you can confirm what kind of ticket you have purchased?

stargirl28

It is a monthly taxsaver ticket loaded onto a leap card, apologies.

lxflyer wrote: »

First of all there is no such thing as "a monthly taxsaver leap card".

A LEAP card is just that - a card.

It can be used in two modes:
1) Paying for travel on a pay-as-you-go basis using the e-purse
As an e-purse by loading money onto the card and then using it on the services listed here (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057381954) in pay-as-you-go mode.

2) Loading tickets onto the card
You can load up to five different ticket products onto the card that offer unlimited travel on public transport services - again they are listed at the link above.

So what you have is a LEAP card, with, presumably a monthly Mullingar-Dublin rail only ticket loaded onto it, that you purchased through the taxsaver scheme.

As for how you use it, well there is no smartcard reader at Mullingar as it is outside the short hop zone. You just show your card to the ticket checker on the train (if there is one), and he should have a reader capable of seeing your ticket, and then use it to open the gates at Connolly.

Perhaps you can confirm what kind of ticket you have purchased?

LXFlyer

stargirl28 wrote: »

It is a monthly taxsaver ticket loaded onto a leap card, apologies.

For Mullingar-Dublin rail travel?

stargirl28

Yes

lxflyer wrote: »

For Mullingar-Dublin rail travel?

LXFlyer

stargirl28 wrote: »

Yes

Well then follow the instructions as I outlined above!


No tag on/off at Mullingar at all.


In the early mornings only the main platform at Mullingar will be in use - just follow the crowd as there is only one train at the station at any time in the mornings.

stargirl28

Thanks a million much appreciated!!

lxflyer wrote: »

Well then follow the instructions as I outlined above!


No tag on/off at Mullingar at all.


In the early mornings only the main platform at Mullingar will be in use - just follow the crowd as there is only one train at the station at any time in the mornings.

n97 mini

lxflyer wrote: »

In the early mornings only the main platform at Mullingar will be in use.

Is there ever more than one? Didn't look like it last time I was there. Shame, station is a shadow of its former self, esp with the dereliction on the Athlone side.

LXFlyer

n97 mini wrote: »

Is there ever more than one? Didn't look like it last time I was there. Shame, station is a shadow of its former self, esp with the dereliction on the Athlone side.

Only on Sunday evenings (17:05 ex-Connolly crosses the 16:30 ex-Sligo).

The Sligo trains cross one another at Maynooth, Edgeworthstown and Boyle.

Jamie2k9

stargirl28

If your new to Irish Rail you may want to give them a few weeks, they have axed peak capacity recently which was due to be restored this week for the 07.26 service. If IE had it there way they would leave it until early Sep but they have come under pressure since and it was due back today.

Jem72

It is back to 7 cars for the 7:26 service for the last two days but I think it is a bit of overkill in August. While I enjoy a bay of 4 seats to myself on my commute as much as any man, it is not exactly necessary. With 4 cars it was crowded from Maynooth onwards but nothing unreasonable.

I think it makes perfect sense for Irish Rail to swap around the 7 car set during school holidays as there are a lot more people travelling on the later service on day trips to Dublin and fewer people on the commuter service. Still it is nice to see Irish Rail listening to the commuters. Personally, I was ready to start complaining if it the 4 car operation continued into September.

OP, good luck with the commute.

stargirl28

I wish I had the luxury of getting the 7.26 train but unfortunately some of us are up at the crack of dawn for the 6.49 train ðŸ˜

Jem72 wrote: »

It is back to 7 cars for the 7:26 service for the last two days but I think it is a bit of overkill in August. While I enjoy a bay of 4 seats to myself on my commute as much as any man, it is not exactly necessary. With 4 cars it was crowded from Maynooth onwards but nothing unreasonable.

I think it makes perfect sense for Irish Rail to swap around the 7 car set during school holidays as there are a lot more people travelling on the later service on day trips to Dublin and fewer people on the commuter service. Still it is nice to see Irish Rail listening to the commuters. Personally, I was ready to start complaining if it the 4 car operation continued into September.

OP, good luck with the commute.