Ferry company denies ‘gouging’ rugby fans by hiking fares

A CORK-based ferry company has rejected claims it is “gouging” Munster rugby supporters by hiking its fares for the province’s Heineken Cup clash with Ospreys in Swansea next month.

Fans have expressed anger to the official Munster Rugby Supporters Club and have asked the club to disassociate itself with Fastnet Lines amid claims that the new company has increased its fares for the match weekend.

The company, however, has defended its pricing for that weekend stating that it has cancelled a Thursday sailing and rebooked hundreds of passengers to accommodate Munster fans who want to travel to the game.

Fastnet is charging a foot passenger €99 per person with no onboard accommodation while the company is offering an optional coach transfer from the ferry to Swansea city centre before and after the game for an additional €10.

Foot passengers who book a two-berth inside cabin can expect to pay €159 per person sharing, including the coach transfer.

Fans have claimed that the company increased its fares by 230% because it was a match weekend.

One angry Munster supporter said: “The entire thought process of Fastnet is flawed here. They’ve pitched their prices marginally below more convenient and faster alternatives.

“What they’ve lost sight of is the huge mark-up on their standard fares for this time of year. For example, a return trip Cork-Swansea a couple of days before the rugby sailing costs €138 for two passengers and now it’s €318. This is pure Celtic Tiger thinking.”

However, Fastnet Line’s general manager in Ireland, Paul O’Brien, said: “Following many requests from Munster fans we have changed our schedule by canceling a sailing on Thursday, December 16 and putting on an extra sailing on Monday, December 20 which has involved us in moving or re-booking several hundred people in order to accommodate this sailing. This has allowed us to sail to Swansea on Friday night December 17 to allow people to arrive directly in Swansea for the game which is what supporters asked for.”

Mr O’Brien also outlined the alternatives available to fans including flights costing €218.68 plus transport and accommodation. While also quoting Irish Ferries fares the company neglected to mention a Stena Line “sail and rail” offer from Rosslare for just €72 per person.

Another supporters’ club member said: “In essence, what they are saying is – we’ll gouge you and you’ll like it.”

Fastnet Line is funded mainly by investors from Cork, Kerry and south Wales, and has been dubbed The Peoples’ Ferry.

A spokeswoman for the Munster Rugby Supporters’ Club said: “ It is obviously a decision for Fastnet themselves to set their prices and other than communicating the response from supporters to them, the Supporters’ Club will not be taking any action.”