[Article] Luas fares could be 35% dearer than Dublin Bus

Winters

Sorry but couldnt help it Victor

Luas fares could be 35% dearer than Dublin Bus
08/02/2004 - 11:14:42 am

Travelling on the Luas, when it begins operating, may cost considerably more than taking the bus or DART.

Fares for short tram trips around the capitol could be 35% dearer than Dublin Bus, and 19% more expensive than the DART.

The issue is still under discussion between the Department of Transport and the Railway Procurement Agency.

Transport officials are concerned that high prices will deter lower-income passengers from using the service.

From Breakingnews.ie

Not too sure if its a joke or not but if it is true it is a disgrace.

Victor

Current plan is actually to implement the same fare scale as Dublin Bus at the start. What happens after that I don't know.

Introducing a "premium" service would kinda screw integrated ticketing.

voxpop

Heard on the radio this morning that prices *could* be more expensive than dart and bus, but that negotations are still ongoing. With that said, knowing the way things go in this country, the Luas will probably be more expensive and less reliable than dublin bus and the dart.

They also said intergrated ticketing wouldnt be implemented until 2005

Victor

Fuller story. Thsose percentages are maximums not typical. It's the usual Niamh Connolly exageration.

http://www.thepost.ie/web/DocumentView/did-184765661-pageUrl--2FThe-Newspaper-2FSundays-Paper.asp

Luas fares higher than Dart and Dublin Bus
08/02/04 00:00
By Niamh Connolly

Luas tram fares are likely to be between €1.30 and €1.90, The Sunday Business Post has learned.

Proposed fares for the Sandyford-Harcourt Street Luas will be between €1.30 and €1.70, while the proposed fares for the Tallaght-Connolly line, which is five kilometres longer, will range from €1.30 to €1.90.

Passengers travelling on both lines would pay €2.30, while an all-day ticket for unlimited travel will cost €5, according to the proposals.

The minimum fare on the Dart is €1.05 and a nine-kilometre journey - the distance from Sandyford to Harcourt Street - would cost €1.80. Dublin Bus charges 85 cent minimum, with a maximum of €1.70 to travel from Tallaght to the city centre.

Short trips would be 35 per cent cheaper on Dublin Bus and 19 per cent cheaper on Dart, if the proposals are accepted.

A Department of Transport spokesman said that the issue of fares was still under discussion with the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA).

The minister was being consulted, but a final decision was a matter for the RPA, which is headed by Frank Allen. The agency said it could not confirm the figures, as they were still under discussion.

Transport officials are concerned that if Luas fares are pitched too high, they will deter lower-income passengers from using the system.

It has also been learned that Luas trams will not have ticket validation machines, which could lead to fare evasion. Tram operator Connex said it would employ 40 inspectors to check tickets in the early months of Luas operations to combat fare evaders.

Combined paper ticketing between Luas, Dublin Bus and the Dart will be in operation when the two Luas lines open this summer, which means that any fare evasion on the trams could have implications for the Dart and Dublin Bus.

Fully integrated swipe travel cards linking rail, buses and Luas will not be launched until the end of next year.

Protocol

Anybody know anything about Luas fares? Will they be based on a stage or zone system? Or maybe flat fares???

Will there be transfer tickets? Day passes??

It seems that there will be a conductor on every tram. What do people think of that?

Protocol

Victor

Originally posted by Protocol
Will there be transfer tickets? Day passes??.

There are likely to be day / week and similar tickets.

Originally posted by Protocol
It seems that there will be a conductor on every tram.

Not every tram, they would likely operate in groups of 2-3 and target known evasion blackspots.