Cost of rail tickets rises by a third in six years

THE price of rail tickets has soared by a third in the past six years.

Irish Rail have also been criticised for slapping a €2 transaction charge on internet bookings and charging passengers significantly more for their ticket at the station.

Figures show a standard five-day return rail ticket purchased at the station on the Cork-Dublin route was €54.50 in 2004, but this same ticket now costs €71.

The monthly family ticket has increased in this time from €98 to €140, while the family day return has jumped from €76.50 to €100.

In recent years Irish Rail has launched a number of discount fares, with some tickets on the Cork-Dublin route coming in at €10 (plus €2 transaction fee).

Irish Rail charges a €2 transaction fee on all bookings made online while an extra €1 is added to all transactions paid for with a credit card.

A spokesperson for Irish Rail said the €2 transaction fee relates to the costs associated with its online booking system.

“The fee is per transaction, not per passenger, so a person booking six return tickets on their transaction would be charged just one €2 transaction fee, as opposed to the per person system applied by other transport or retail sites,” the spokesperson said.

A search on the Irish Rail website for travel this week shows that 11% of online tickets on the Cork-Dublin route are offered for €10, most of which are available during the week. The remaining routes are divided almost equally between €20 fares and €36 fares.

The cost of a Cork-Dublin rail ticket when purchased at the station is €71 for a return ticket or €66 for a single.

Chief executive of the Consumer Association Dermott Jewell said for many years consumers have been told that they would enjoy the benefits of a world class transportation system offering value and affordability.

“Rail travel is a perfect but a confusing example. Consumers expect to receive discounts for online booking as it is cost efficient. The reality here is that Irish Rail charge consumers twice the price for a rail ticket at the station compared to booking it online, penalising those who do not or cannot book online.”

According to Mr Jewell the best of service providers recognise that their consumers are entitled to have choice.

“Booking online incurs transaction charges and booking fees that many consumers simply cannot afford. Here, if they choose not to incur them and opt to buy in person and in cash, they must pay much more. So, leaving class aside, where is the long promised and eagerly awaited value and affordability?”