Getting clamped at Train station

benny79

My other half recently had to go to Dublin from Kildare for a days work experience which she wasn't getting paid for.. anyway she was getting the 8.15 train and was rushing as usual & never got a parking ticket for her car in the station... ?( She totally forgot) but I picked her up on her way home as I commute daily but leave early as she had to get kids ready for school etc..

but as we returned to her car it was clamped, she was obviously raging, she even bawled crying (thinking how she could be so stupid etc) she was wrecked also which didnt help matters. look I know mistakes happen & yes it was totally her fault etc.. but on ringing the no it was €125 to get the clamp released!!! pure ex-torsion!! you cant even talk to anyone as its an automatic service and on paying you have to wait up to 2 hours to be released..

Seriously no wonder people dont use public transport not only is it dear, You have to pay for fare + parking and you forget and your penalised heavily for it! what a fcuking joke!!
Its €80 if you get clamped in the city centre! totally put me off ever getting the train no matter how bad traffic is!

Seriously how can they get away with it??
By the way I know its a separate company N.C.P.S or something..

Rant over

Roadhawk

benny79 wrote: »

My other half recently had to go to Dublin from Kildare for a days work experience which she wasn't getting paid for.. anyway she was getting the 8.15 train and was rushing as usual & never got a parking ticket for her car in the station... ?( She totally forgot) but I picked her up on her way home as I commute daily but leave early as she had to get kids ready for school etc..

but as we returned to her car it was clamped, she was obviously raging, she even bawled crying (thinking how she could be so stupid etc) she was wrecked also which didnt help matters. look I know mistakes happen & yes it was totally her fault etc.. but on ringing the no it was €125 to get the clamp released!!! pure ex-torsion!! you cant even talk to anyone as its an automatic service and on paying you have to wait up to 2 hours to be released..

Seriously no wonder people dont use public transport not only is it dear, You have to pay for fare + parking and you forget and your penalised heavily for it! what a fcuking joke!!
Its €80 if you get clamped in the city centre! totally put me off ever getting the train no matter how bad traffic is!

Seriously how can they get away with it??
By the way I know its a separate company N.C.P.S or something..

Rant over

I thought there was a €100 limit to clamping...
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/new-law-will-limit-clamping-charge-to-100-35138980.html

Liam_D

Emme

Its N.C.P.S. Their tactics put Ireland's top criminal familiies in the shade. OK people should pay to park but it's easy to forget. I got clamped because I made a mistake with the parkbytext app and I wasn't covered for 3 hours. The b*****s clamped me!

€125 is too much to release a clamp from a car. €50 or 60 would be more than enough and fairer on people who are already paying to travel on the train. Clamping fees were supposed to be capped at €100 but the legislation hasn't yet been enforced.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/clamping-law-having-no-impact-on-fees-34953636.html

I know of a woman who was clamped by N.C.P.S. for displaying her ticket upside down. Another person's ticket fell onto the floor and they were clamped. In some cases the release fee is refunded but people are still inconvenienced by the clamp and wait for release. People have to rearrange childminders because of clamping. People waiting alone in dark car parks have been harrassed while waiting for the clamp to be taken off their car.

There is a special corner of hell reserved for the top brass of N.C.P.S.

schemingbohemia

How likely is someone to remember to pay for parking after a €125 clamp release fee versus a €60 fee?

Emme

schemingbohemia wrote: »

How likely is someone to remember to pay for parking after a €125 clamp release fee versus a €60 fee?

They'll still remember to pay but a €125 fee is beyond the reach of many people. It could put some into a position where they can't afford the basics for the month. That's the reality for many working poor.

benny79

Emme wrote: »

They'll still remember to pay but a €125 fee is beyond the reach of many people. It could put some into a position where they can't afford the basics for the month. That's the reality for many working poor.

Totally agree ... Even €80 is dear but over a €100 is madness...

skeogh82

While I agree the fee is extortionate they do cover the car parks in signs about paying for parking so its kinda hard to miss.

It irritates me more that i pay for parking in a car park that is not maintained whatsoever. Clontarf Road has incredibly poor lighting and drainage and in the first half of the carpark there are no more lines which means people end up parking arseways. If they only repainted the lines they would probably get another 3/4 cars a day which is an extra €3k a year (ish) - it would pay for itself in no time.

L1011

Roadhawk wrote: »

I thought there was a €100 limit to clamping...
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/new-law-will-limit-clamping-charge-to-100-35138980.html

Law never commenced. I prefer it as it is - clamping is so grey area illegal without it that the rare times its happened I've always been refunded.

Emme

L1011 wrote: »

Law never commenced. I prefer it as it is - clamping is so grey area illegal without it that the rare times its happened I've always been refunded.

Either you are a lawyer or you own a parking company. The law would protect people who use car parks and prevent parking companies from gouging.

newacc2015

skeogh82 wrote: »

While I agree the fee is extortionate they do cover the car parks in signs about paying for parking so its kinda hard to miss.

They are also not regulated. They could clamp every car in a carpark with or without a ticket and you have no recourse. If you dont agree with their clamping, you can appeal it to a 'third party'

Here is an interesting link on the 'third party'

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056321909

GM228

L1011 wrote: »

Law never commenced. I prefer it as it is - clamping is so grey area illegal without it that the rare times its happened I've always been refunded.

Private clamping isn't illegal on private property, it's just not regulated by legislation.

Mrs OBumble

Emme wrote: »

They'll still remember to pay but a €125 fee is beyond the reach of many people. It could put some into a position where they can't afford the basics for the month. That's the reality for many working poor.

Well then they should remember to pay for their parking, or get rid of the car.

Adulting really isn't that difficult.

cdeb

benny79 wrote: »

Seriously no wonder people dont use public transport not only is it dear

What has this got to do with public transport?

I agree the fee is steep (and I've been done a couple of times myself), but it's far from specific to public transport car parks. It's a fairly standard release fee.

Atlantic Dawn

They can charge €500 or €50k if they want, there's no limit in this country as to what can be charged. They can also employ rapists, murderers, kidnappers, ex prisoners to apply clamps there's no official required vetting or licencing process for employees whatsoever in this country for someone who clamps your car and as a result leaves you stranded and vulnerable to all sorts waiting for the clamp to be released.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/act/13/enacted/en/html

L1011

GM228 wrote: »

Private clamping isn't illegal on private property, it's just not regulated by legislation.

Interfering with vehicles is illegal, though, even on private property.

L1011

Emme wrote: »

Either you are a lawyer or you own a parking company. The law would protect people who use car parks and prevent parking companies from gouging.

Neither - I'm just able to state my case solidly

skeogh82

If they post the terms and conditions of parking on the big sign outside, and you comply with said terms how can they clamp you?

they once clamped me in error - I was using the annual parking ticket and i changed my car and i had rung and changed the registration on the ticket, and had an email confirmation of same - but the guy checking cars his system hadnt updated.

It was simple to fix, I rang, they saw that the details had changed so they released the clamp. No big deal.

GM228

L1011 wrote: »

Interfering with vehicles is illegal, though, even on private property.

Let me guess, S113 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, the provision most people often incorrectly point to to say private clamping is illegal, it's not that simple.

It's only illegal without lawful authority or reasonable cause, once appropriate warning/signage etc is provided it isn't illegal.

What can be an issue for private claping is the release fee, whilst not illegal, it could be difficult to legally enforcce as the cost to remove a clamp should be relevant to the cost associated with clamping the vehicle.

But all that is irrelevant as private clamping and setting whatever fee on CIE property is legislated for under the Transport Act 1950.

Sugarlumps

It's a stinger, I've been using park by text for the last 5 years. Was 4 cents short of the customary reminder for the month they text you. I was in work an hour, dawned on me that my month was coming to an end.

Missus checked on the car for me, boom clamped. €125 sucks, it'll never happen again though.

benny79

cdeb wrote: »

What has this got to do with public transport?

I agree the fee is steep (and I've been done a couple of times myself), but it's far from specific to public transport car parks. It's a fairly standard release fee.

Eh cause it was the car park of the Train station taught that was obvious...

cruizer101

I'm fairly sure the fee is actually set by Irish Rail not NCPS as NCPS charge different amounts depending where they are clamping.

Some parking enforcement is needed but 125 is too much as others have suggested 60 or 80 would be enough to get message across without breaking the bank.

GM228

Seeing as how this thread is about clamping at a train station it's also worth pointing out that even when the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 is commenced it won't have any relevance to train stations in relation to the fees as property owned or occupied by CIE are exempt.

Emme

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Well then they should remember to pay for their parking, or get rid of the car.

Adulting really isn't that difficult.

I hope life is always this simple for you.

Mr.Frame

Its not nice getting clamped but perhaps a lesson learnt the hard way .

One line from your comment stood out ,"was rushing as usual & never got a parking ticket for her car in the station".

benny79

Mr.Frame wrote: »

Its not nice getting clamped but perhaps a lesson learnt the hard way .

One line from your comment stood out ,"was rushing as usual & never got a parking ticket for her car in the station".

Yeah she's a women they all rush:D but she would use the train often it was just she had to do a work thing in Dublin (she knows its totally her fault) she or me just couldnt get over the price! she had to borrow for food for the week..

Yes she wont do it again, but if it was €60 or €80 she wouldn't do it again ..but the €125 caused her great upset as she knew she would go without hence having to burrow... we're not in the celtic tiger anymore €125 is a lot of money..

newacc2015

Mr.Frame wrote: »

Its not nice getting clamped but perhaps a lesson learnt the hard way .

What lesson is that exactly? There are hundreds of people wrongly clamped each year and they have no recourse as private clamping companies are unregulated. Is the lesson don't own a car or use any privately owned car parks?

cdeb

benny79 wrote: »

Eh cause it was the car park of the Train station taught that was obvious...

That it was in a train station is irrelevant here.

I got clamped in a hotel car park once, but it'd be equally silly to say "That's why people don't go to hotels any more"

Kitsunegari

Firstly, Irish Rail set the rates; NCPS, just enforce and collect. The reason why clamping is so prevalent in Ireland is because of the various issues that have arose in areas and town lands where there is no parking enforcement such. I know my local station does it as previously opportunists would abandon their cars for days, members from the travelling community set up 'home' and people not using the rail services would use the car park leaving very little spaces for actual rail users.

I don't agree with the high fines and that's an issue for Irish Rail but clamping and parking enforcement is a necessary evil IMO.

cdeb

Fair enough if Irish Rail set the rates, but I think €125 is still a fairly standard release fee?

I've been clamped twice - once in a hotel car park, once in a car park in an industrial estate. Both times the release fee was €125.

I agree with your post overall alright.

benny79

cdeb wrote: »

That it was in a train station is irrelevant here.

I got clamped in a hotel car park once, but it'd be equally silly to say "That's why people don't go to hotels any more"[/QUOTE

Where you staying in the hotel? If so I would of running a muck.. and yes I wouldn't stay in that hotel again... Train is different, its 1 company and there's no competition... and you are paying way too much for public transport in this country for a very poor service but that's another days debate..

Emme

Kitsunegari wrote: »

Firstly, Irish Rail set the rates; NCPS, just enforce and collect.

Irish Rail say they are losing money yet they are screwing passengers as many ways as possible :mad: high rail fares for those who don't qualify for FTP, high parking charges AND clamping with extortionate release fees wherever and whenever they can get away with it. Has any significant audit been done on Irish Rail or has any investigation been made into where all the money is going?

They must have some very creative accountants in Irish Rail and they probably consult with Mafia rings for advice on finance and extortion.

At this stage Irish Rail might as well get in direct contact with my employers and request that all my salary be paid into their sieve-like accounts.

cdeb

benny79 wrote: »

Where you staying in the hotel? If so I would of running a muck..

Trying to read this makes my brain hurt.

I was calling in to a function in the hotel, not staying there.

And what about the car park in the industrial estate where I was working - should I not work there any more?

I agree the fines are high. Probably unnecessarily high. But I don't think there's any connection between that and public transport usage.

There was no parking paid; that's unfortunate. I think there has to be some level of personal responsibility here rather than trying to blame everyone else.

GM228

Kitsunegari wrote: »

Firstly, Irish Rail set the rates; NCPS, just enforce and collect.

A minor point, but IE don't set the rates themselves, the board of CIE do.

Emme

GM228 wrote: »

A minor point, but IE don't set the rates themselves, the board of CIE do.

Well the board of CIE needs to have its finances investigated with a fine tooth comb. They are treating those who pay their wages with contempt.

benny79

cdeb wrote: »

Trying to read this makes my brain hurt.

I was calling in to a function in the hotel, not staying there.

And what about the car park in the industrial estate where I was working - should I not work there any more?

I agree the fines are high. Probably unnecessarily high. But I don't think there's any connection between that and public transport usage.

There was no parking paid; that's unfortunate. I think there has to be some level of personal responsibility here rather than trying to blame everyone else.

I feel your pain replying to you hurts my brain.. maybe you should read the threads more carefully! you might see the one which said she knew it was her fault.. just a hint

Most hotels offer free parking to residents... You weren't staying so had to pay... Thats not the point.. the point was the price of the clamp to be released and if you read the thread you would also see most people agreed... And as someone just pointed out Irish Rail are trying to ride the customer anyway the can ... IMO it should be free to park at train stations as your availing of the service of the train.. Same as luas... obviously the city centres are different...

Mrs OBumble

benny79 wrote: »

she had to borrow for food for the week.. ..but the €125 caused her great upset as she knew she would go without hence having to burrow... we're not in the celtic tiger anymore €125 is a lot of money..

If a person's financial situation is so precarious that an unexpected €125 means they can't buy food, then they cannot afford to run a car.

cdeb

benny79 wrote: »

I feel your pain replying to you hurts my brain.. maybe you should read the threads more carefully! you might see the one which said she knew it was her fault.. just a hint

That wasn't the bit that was hurting my brain. Stuff like "If so I would of running a muck" makes me stop and wonder what on earth you're actually trying to say. Seriously.

I also agree 125 quid is steep. But I've pointed out this is a standard enough release fee, and I don't think it's correct to link this to public transport usage. I don't agree train car parks should be free, especially in town, because then everyone will park there and there'll be no spaces available for those who use the train, which kind of defeats the points.

I don't agree with the poster you refer to who's looking to go after IÉ with a pitchfork; their posts translate to me as "rabble rabble rabble" I'm afraid.

Cienciano

An angle grinder in the boot would be handy if you regularly park in NCPS areas. I've seen people clamped for ridiculous reasons and the only answer they could get from NCPS was to pay the €120 plus €5 admin fee and then dispute the claim.

exaisle

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

benny79 wrote: »

she had to borrow for food for the week.. ..but the 125 caused her great upset as she knew she would go without hence having to burrow... we're not in the celtic tiger anymore 125 is a lot of money..

If a person's financial situation is so precarious that an unexpected 125 means they can't buy food, then they cannot afford to run a car.

Other people's finances shouldn't be the subject of arrogant pontificating like that. How others spend their money is no business of yours. Because of increases in rent and the like, many people find themselves in precarious financial situations through no fault of their own. A bit of humanity and consideration for others on your part wouldn't go astray.

benny79

Is €80 not the usual standard, as I have been clamped before in the city centre and its €80... obviously no parking in city centres should be free... But as far as I'm aware the train stations in the city example Tara, Connolly dont have parking..I am refering to train car parks in the suburbs, commuter towns... or maybe a pass to park there when you show your weekly/monthly ticket etc..

But it is linked to public transport as it's the trains car park.. In commuter towns most people would drive to the train station have to pay to park then pay for the train..

Id put it to you this way (but is going of topic) I live in Kildare but work in Dublin (and am from Dublin) I commute everyday.. Id much prefer to get the Train (less stress for one) but the price is ridiculous vs cost of driving and thats without adding in the cost of parking at the train station..

And by run a muck I meant complain (its tongue & cheek)... Not that anything might come of it but you're letting your feelings be know..

cdeb

As before, whenever I've been clamped (and I think it's twice), it was E125. That's not very many times, and maybe I've been unlucky. But E125 certainly isn't out of the ordinary.

Free parking at stations doesn't necessarily work as then everyone takes the free parking, regardless of whether they're getting the train or not. This is to the detriment of those who are getting the train.

The town I live in has a big free car park for the train, and lately it's full to overflowing; people parking on paths and all sorts. You sometimes can't get a spot in the morning if you're getting the train. That's unfortunately what happens with free parking. (Incidentally, I find the cost quite reasonable compared with driving, though I don't have to pay parking, partly because I don't drive to the station in the first place)

I know what you meant by "a muck", but "If so I would of running a muck" is barely legible. It took me a while to realise you meant "If so, I would have been running amok". Not trying to be smart here; I genuinely didn't know what you were trying to say.

Hilly Bill

Emme wrote: »

Well the board of CIE needs to have its finances investigated with a fine tooth comb. They are treating those who pay their wages with contempt.

In what way?

beauf

benny79 wrote: »

.... I live in Kildare but work in Dublin (and am from Dublin) I commute everyday.. Id much prefer to get the Train (less stress for one) but the price is ridiculous vs cost of driving and thats without adding in the cost of parking at the train station..
..

The cost of getting the train on tax saver is 50 a month. Your fuel alone will be more than that. Parking on a weekly rate isn't that much but I don't think all station car parks charge the same.

beauf

benny79 wrote: »

...... But as far as I'm aware the train stations in the city example Tara, Connolly dont have parking....

Connolly has limited parking at the rear. Heuston has a huge car park.

beauf

benny79 wrote: »

...... But as far as I'm aware the train stations in the city example Tara, Connolly dont have parking....

Connolly has limited parking at the rear. Heuston has a huge car park.

beauf

benny79 wrote: »

..Seriously no wonder people dont use public transport not only is it dear, You have to pay for fare + parking and you forget and your penalised heavily for it! ...

In fairness the parking isn't expensive. But the fines I agree are unreasonable and extortionate.

trellheim

Was there a sign at the carpark noting the Clamp release charge ?

If there was not you have a case.

GM228

trellheim wrote: »

Was there a sign at the carpark noting the Clamp release charge ?

If there was not you have a case.

All stations have several of them.

GM228

https://www.kildarenow.com/news/refunds-to-be-given-to-those-that-got-cars-clamped-at-newbridge-train-station-this-week/130159

ebbsy

Cienciano wrote: »

An angle grinder in the boot would be handy if you regularly park in NCPS areas. I've seen people clamped for ridiculous reasons and the only answer they could get from NCPS was to pay the 120 plus 5 admin fee and then dispute the claim.

I have one in the boot just in case.