DART Stations Unmanned???

Ernest · 02-10-2012 05:02PM #1

Is there now a new policy from Irish Rail on DART ticket offices - to have them unmanned outside of morning rush hour?.

Several times in recent months I have been unable to find any staff at the ticket offices of suburban stations which are ostensibly open (i.e. shutters not closed).
This is almost universally so outside rush hour but now also during evening rush hour. The other day I waited for ten minutes at the window of a ticket office between 5pm and 5.15pm attempting to make an enquiry but nobody came to the window. I shouted and knocked but nobody responded, even though I could clearly hear the sound of a radio or television from inside the inner office the door to which was ajar.

I do not know for sure but I suspect that since automatic ticket machines have been installed, the staff (rather then Irish Rail) feel that they don't have to be bothered to man the windows anymore or to deal with questions, or queries.

I would imagine that, officially, these DART stations are regarded by Irish Rail as being "manned" in respect of safety and possible emergencies or accidents occurring during the day. However in reality the ticket offices are for all practical purposes closed and there are no platform staff on such stations.

foggy_lad · 03-10-2012 12:12AM

Ernest wrote: »

Is there now a new policy from Irish Rail on DART ticket offices - to have them unmanned outside of morning rush hour?.

Several times in recent months I have been unable to find any staff at the ticket offices of suburban stations which are ostensibly open (i.e. shutters not closed).
This is almost universally so outside rush hour but now also during evening rush hour. The other day I waited for ten minutes at the window of a ticket office between 5pm and 5.15pm attempting to make an enquiry but nobody came to the window. I shouted and knocked but nobody responded, even though I could clearly hear the sound of a radio or television from inside the inner office the door to which was ajar.

I do not know for sure but I suspect that since automatic ticket machines have been installed, the staff (rather then Irish Rail) feel that they don't have to be bothered to man the windows anymore or to deal with questions, or queries.

I would imagine that, officially, these DART stations are regarded by Irish Rail as being "manned" in respect of safety and possible emergencies or accidents occurring during the day. However in reality the ticket offices are for all practical purposes closed and there are no platform staff on such stations.

The overworked staff may have been sleeping after the morning rush?

If you heard a radio and lights were on then the office was open but the attendant may have popped out to get lunch or elevenses or might have a second part time job in the area?

Report the absence of staff to Irish rail and they might reply with a perfectly logical rational explanation.

CIE · 03-10-2012 04:21AM

Government railway being penny cent wise and pound euro foolish once again.

n97 mini · 03-10-2012 08:44AM

The Maynooth line doesn't have staff after I think 10am. Seems to work fine without them too. I'd prefer if they spent money on improving the service rather than staffing.

MJohnston · 03-10-2012 10:55AM

Clontarf Road is more often that not shuttered after 10am, with the disabled 'turnstile' locked open. Time it right and you don't even need to try to evade a fare.

parsi · 03-10-2012 11:14AM

foggy_lad wrote: »

Ernest wrote: »

Is there now a new policy from Irish Rail on DART ticket offices - to have them unmanned outside of morning rush hour?.

Several times in recent months I have been unable to find any staff at the ticket offices of suburban stations which are ostensibly open (i.e. shutters not closed).
This is almost universally so outside rush hour but now also during evening rush hour. The other day I waited for ten minutes at the window of a ticket office between 5pm and 5.15pm attempting to make an enquiry but nobody came to the window. I shouted and knocked but nobody responded, even though I could clearly hear the sound of a radio or television from inside the inner office the door to which was ajar.

I do not know for sure but I suspect that since automatic ticket machines have been installed, the staff (rather then Irish Rail) feel that they don't have to be bothered to man the windows anymore or to deal with questions, or queries.

I would imagine that, officially, these DART stations are regarded by Irish Rail as being "manned" in respect of safety and possible emergencies or accidents occurring during the day. However in reality the ticket offices are for all practical purposes closed and there are no platform staff on such stations.

The overworked staff may have been sleeping after the morning rush?

If you heard a radio and lights were on then the office was open but the attendant may have popped out to get lunch or elevenses or might have a second part time job in the area?

Report the absence of staff to Irish rail and they might reply with a perfectly logical rational explanation.

Also the possibility that the staff member had been attacked by a golden ticket holder after he had the temerity to ask for ID and was now lying unconscious.

No more outlandish a suggestion than some of the other ones.

schemingbohemia · 03-10-2012 11:26AM

Ernest wrote: »

Is there now a new policy from Irish Rail on DART ticket offices - to have them unmanned outside of morning rush hour?.

Several times in recent months I have been unable to find any staff at the ticket offices of suburban stations which are ostensibly open (i.e. shutters not closed).
This is almost universally so outside rush hour but now also during evening rush hour. The other day I waited for ten minutes at the window of a ticket office between 5pm and 5.15pm attempting to make an enquiry but nobody came to the window. I shouted and knocked but nobody responded, even though I could clearly hear the sound of a radio or television from inside the inner office the door to which was ajar.

I do not know for sure but I suspect that since automatic ticket machines have been installed, the staff (rather then Irish Rail) feel that they don't have to be bothered to man the windows anymore or to deal with questions, or queries.

I would imagine that, officially, these DART stations are regarded by Irish Rail as being "manned" in respect of safety and possible emergencies or accidents occurring during the day. However in reality the ticket offices are for all practical purposes closed and there are no platform staff on such stations.

Why do you seem to need to make enquiries at station level on numerous occasions? Serious question.

With cuts to costs there tends to be 1 person staffing most stations, these people are entitled to breaks and it's obviously better that they have these breaks outside of peak times.

Hilly Bill · 03-10-2012 06:23PM

foggy_lad wrote: »

The overworked staff may have been sleeping after the morning rush?

If you heard a radio and lights were on then the office was open but the attendant may have popped out to get lunch or elevenses or might have a second part time job in the area?

Report the absence of staff to Irish rail and they might reply with a perfectly logical rational explanation.

The bit in Bold i agree with but the rest of your post is just another reason why you cant be taken serious.

davidlacey · 03-10-2012 11:43PM

Upto his old tricks again i see!

ixoy · 04-10-2012 02:14PM

schemingbohemia wrote: »

With cuts to costs there tends to be 1 person staffing most stations, these people are entitled to breaks and it's obviously better that they have these breaks outside of peak times.

Nobody present at Tara Street Dart station ticket office yesterday just after 18:00, which is still peak times. Eventually, a diligent staff member wandering outside noticed people waiting and came in to sort us out.

schemingbohemia · 04-10-2012 03:09PM

I did say "most" - Tara Street should obviously be an exception to that and particularly at that time.

ixoy · 04-10-2012 03:34PM

schemingbohemia wrote: »

I did say "most" - Tara Street should obviously be an exception to that and particularly at that time.

I also think there should be a booth at the city centre stations: Connolly, Tara, and Pease open at all times. Plenty of times they're both closed by 7 and nearly always by 9.
There's been a few times with no ticket offices open at Connolly but the office at Clontarf Road is open. Would have thought the city centre was the priority.

bikeman1 · 04-10-2012 08:22PM

Basically what has happened is IE are not replacing staff in booking offices. Theyonly require one man Mon - Fri early morning in most booking offices. However there is still a lot of stations with 3 men appointed to them, Raheny and Clontarf Rd. being an example. When one retires, they won't be replaced.

What used to happen was a man was sent to cover breaks, so there was always someone there, however this has now stopped. So when you pass through a station and either the shutters are down or no one is there, like at 10am after the rush, it's because they have gone on a break.

This is just cut backs. IE want every station to be like a luas stop - un manned. However this poses a difficulty as they have no way of tracking DSP tickets, sell student tickets, child tickets or help wheelchair customers on or off their trains.

Go to Connolly station and you can't buy a ticket after the 20:50 Belfast from the desk, however Malahide station is manned from the first train in the morning until the departure of the last train. Strange policy.

Carawaystick · 04-10-2012 08:30PM

Heard a man on Sean Moncreif today making the point he doesn't use the train as despite IÉ spending all that money on making stations accessible, their ticket machines are too high to use from a chair....

L1011 · 04-10-2012 08:40PM

Carawaystick wrote: »

Heard a man on Sean Moncreif today making the point he doesn't use the train as despite IÉ spending all that money on making stations accessible, their ticket machines are too high to use from a chair....

Wouldn't someone in a wheelchair generally have a free travel pass?

n97 mini · 04-10-2012 09:28PM

He might have been a dwarf?

Carawaystick · 04-10-2012 11:02PM

MYOB wrote: »

Wouldn't someone in a wheelchair generally have a free travel pass?

Why do you think that? You only get a pass if you are on disability allowance or invalidity pension

Ernest · 05-10-2012 08:10AM

At morning rush-hour last Wednesday, in Connolly Station, only one of the three ticket offices was open to serve a very long queue that snaked all across the concourse. Meanwhile behind the Information window, two employees were to be seen - one answering queries and making announcements and the other sitting in a chair doing nothing, just staring ahead. All this at morning rush hour in the busiest or second busiest station in the country!

As for the original matter raised about unmanned suburban DART stations, if it is deliberate policy to keep them unmanned (which I very much doubt) it would be common courtesy and normal practice to simply put a sign in the window declaring that the office is Closed and stating what the hours of attendance are supposed to be. Then we would know if the paid employees involved are really on one of these "breaks" that various posters here are postulating.

Dravokivich · 05-10-2012 11:29AM

MYOB wrote: »

Wouldn't someone in a wheelchair generally have a free travel pass?

not if you're recovering from injury, no.

Are the luas machines the same height?

Hilly Bill · 05-10-2012 03:53PM

yes they are.

Hilly Bill · 05-10-2012 04:15PM

Ernest wrote: »

At morning rush-hour last Wednesday, in Connolly Station, only one of the three ticket offices was open to serve a very long queue that snaked all across the concourse. Meanwhile behind the Information window, two employees were to be seen - one answering queries and making announcements and the other sitting in a chair doing nothing, just staring ahead. All this at morning rush hour in the busiest or second busiest station in the country!

As for the original matter raised about unmanned suburban DART stations, if it is deliberate policy to keep them unmanned (which I very much doubt) it would be common courtesy and normal practice to simply put a sign in the window declaring that the office is Closed and stating what the hours of attendance are supposed to be. Then we would know if the paid employees involved are really on one of these "breaks" that various posters here are postulating.

You forgot to mention that there were 4 ticket machines open as well that people in the queue could buy tickets. I doubt very much if the queue was as long as you claim it to be. Where you in 2 queues? one for tickets and one for information?

As for your OP, have you considered any other reasons to why nobody was at hand to answer your query at that time? Its not various posters that mention the "breaks" its just one particular poster that has an issue with IR and comes out with some cracking complaints

.
Sign or not you would still complain that the station was unmanned.

Ernest · 05-10-2012 05:12PM

Hilly Bill wrote: »

You forgot to mention that there were 4 ticket machines open as well that people in the queue could buy tickets. I doubt very much if the queue was as long as you claim it to be. Where you in 2 queues? one for tickets and one for information?

As for your OP, have you considered any other reasons to why nobody was at hand to answer your query at that time? Its not various posters that mention the "breaks" its just one particular poster that has an issue with IR and comes out with some cracking complaints .
Sign or not you would still complain that the station was unmanned.

As I said, the queue at Connolly went all the way from the single Ticket Office window that was open (the other two being closed) all the way across the floor to the far wall. This was a SINGLE queue for tickets - not two separate queues as you suggest. There was no queue for the information window which was overmanned, on that occasion anyway.

As far as the unmanned suburban stations are concerned, I do not understand your problem with expecting the minimum courtesy of a window sign saying CLOSED and stating the hours of business whenever the station is unattended.

The question remaining is whether these suburban stations are SUPPOSED TO be unattended or not outside of morning rush hour....

n97 mini · 05-10-2012 09:45PM

Hilly Bill wrote: »

You forgot to mention that there were 4 ticket machines open as well that people in the queue could buy tickets.

I've been in Connolly when there was only one ticket hatch open, while at the same time there were 15 or so people in the queue waiting to "rock up" to buy tickets.

Hilly Bill · 05-10-2012 11:25PM

n97 mini wrote: »

I've been in Connolly when there was only one ticket hatch open, while at the same time there were 15 or so people in the queue waiting to "rock up" to buy tickets.

Its a bit silly to be standing in a queue when there are 4 ticket machines that could be used.
Would that be 15 separate transactions or couples or groups of 3 or more that make up your 15 or more?

Hilly Bill · 05-10-2012 11:37PM

Ernest wrote: »

As I said, the queue at Connolly went all the way from the single Ticket Office window that was open (the other two being closed) all the way across the floor to the far wall. This was a SINGLE queue for tickets - not two separate queues as you suggest. There was no queue for the information window which was overmanned, on that occasion anyway.

As far as the unmanned suburban stations are concerned, I do not understand your problem with expecting the minimum courtesy of a window sign saying CLOSED and stating the hours of business whenever the station is unattended.

The question remaining is whether these suburban stations are SUPPOSED TO be unattended or not outside of morning rush hour....

You didnt read my post properly before replying . I didnt suggest that there was 2 queues for the tickets.
Where in my post does it suggest that i have a problem with a closed signed?
If there was a closed signed at the booking office at the time you got there then you would complain anyway so what does it matter if it has a closed sign and the opening times on it? Most people just go about their business without a fuss when getting the train , they either use their leap cards or the ticket machine or go to the ticket window, if there is no one there then they will go and use the ticket machine.
What sign would you like? " Back in 5 minutes, gone for a dump"? .
Before you started this thread , did you ring or mail Irish Rail with your complaint or query?

foggy_lad · 06-10-2012 12:11AM

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Its a bit silly to be standing in a queue when there are 4 ticket machines that could be used.
Would that be 15 separate transactions or couples or groups of 3 or more that make up your 15 or more?

Many of them could be illiterate or looking to purchase child tickets or tickets which are not available from the machines or it is possible they just don't like using the machines.

foggy_lad · 06-10-2012 12:15AM

Hilly Bill wrote: »

You didnt read my post properly before replying . I didnt suggest that there was 2 queues for the tickets.
Where in my post does it suggest that i have a problem with a closed signed?
If there was a closed signed at the booking office at the time you got there then you would complain anyway so what does it matter if it has a closed sign and the opening times on it? Most people just go about their business without a fuss when getting the train , they either use their leap cards or the ticket machine or go to the ticket window, if there is no one there then they will go and use the ticket machine.
What sign would you like? " Back in 5 minutes, gone for a dump"? .
Before you started this thread , did you ring or mail Irish Rail with your complaint or query?

The difference between having a closed sign up or not is if you are stopped on the train and asked for a ticket and you tell the checker that the booking office was closed they will not believe you unless Irish rail have properly given notice that the office was closed! Leaving lights on and a radio playing gives the impression that all is normal and open for business when in fact the office is closed!

Hilly Bill · 06-10-2012 12:57AM

foggy_lad wrote: »

The difference between having a closed sign up or not is if you are stopped on the train and asked for a ticket and you tell the checker that the booking office was closed they will not believe you unless Irish rail have properly given notice that the office was closed! Leaving lights on and a radio playing gives the impression that all is normal and open for business when in fact the office is closed!

Fair point but wouldnt that only apply to those you mentioned in your previous post if the ticket machines was available. Also bear in mind that the person working in a lone booking office may at some stage have to use the toilet or help someone on and off a train or trying to locate lost property or could have just collapsed and therefore not be at the ticket desk when the op decides to do one of his inspections.
Asking for the opening times to be displayed is a fair request but the times might not match the actual opening times if there is lack of cover at some stage.

foggy_lad · 06-10-2012 11:38AM

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Fair point but wouldnt that only apply to those you mentioned in your previous post if the ticket machines was available. Also bear in mind that the person working in a lone booking office may at some stage have to use the toilet or help someone on and off a train or trying to locate lost property or could have just collapsed and therefore not be at the ticket desk when the op decides to do one of his inspections.
Asking for the opening times to be displayed is a fair request but the times might not match the actual opening times if there is lack of cover at some stage.

If they went to the loo or were helping someone board a train they would be back within a few minutes or could be seen on the platform, they would be back but when they are gone home or to another station to work there they won't be back. And the station at newbridge already closes at odd hours without notice and regularly train staff are unaware of its closure and seek to fine passengers, this is where problems arise due to proper notice not being given.

kreuzberg09 · 06-10-2012 08:19PM

Have to agree with the criticism of IE, experienced a problem about two months ago at 07:30 heading into Connolly, checked out the next scheduled train was in 35 minutes (due to a problem on the network), so no point waiting for that, thought I would head up to the bus stop instead of waiting but I had just clocked in with my leapcard, and decided to check at the station if it will be automatically reimbursed due to not taking the train – same oul story, Radio on but there is nobody home.

Either they were pissed off having to deal with frustrated commuters every two minutes and blocked the window at the station or were on one of their scheduled IE mid-morning breaks during morning rush hour

n97 mini · 06-10-2012 10:38PM

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Its a bit silly to be standing in a queue when there are 4 ticket machines that could be used.

I'm sure people have legitimate reasons ("where is the nearest station to the RDS")

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Would that be 15 separate transactions or couples or groups of 3 or more that make up your 15 or more?

Probably around 8 individuals, two couples, and one group of three. (The answer is as stupid as the question

)

Hilly Bill · 06-10-2012 11:35PM

n97 mini wrote: »

I'm sure people have legitimate reasons ("where is the nearest station to the RDS")

Probably around 8 individuals, two couples, and one group of three. (The answer is as stupid as the question )

Are you on a wind up or what?

L1011 · 08-10-2012 04:29PM

Carawaystick wrote: »

Why do you think that? You only get a pass if you are on disability allowance or invalidity pension

Unless things have changed recently, I know of people who were working and "receiving" disability allowance means-tested down to €0, but still entitled to the pass as a result.

Carawaystick · 09-10-2012 12:24AM

MYOB wrote: »

Unless things have changed recently, I know of people who were working and "receiving" disability allowance means-tested down to €0, but still entitled to the pass as a result.

If you became disabled( for a time or permanently) and were working for a while before the disablement, you'ld get disability benefit and so would not qualify for the pass.

If you didn't feel like prostrating yourself before a civil servant in the social welfare office and were busy working away, you might not think you were eligible for a pass.

If you were to fail to meet the well paid civil servants in the social welfare office's limited understanding of habitually resident you would not get a pass.

If you were inconvenienced while IÉ closed the dart line for weekends for over a year to make their stations accessible and thought that might mean the ticket buying process was applicable also, you may not have thought of getting a pass

If you thought IÉ were crap and got a modified car but say you were going out for pints and decided to get the train instead just this once, and had paid CIÉ EUR3 just to park your car, you might not have a pass.

parsi · 09-10-2012 05:41AM

Carawaystick wrote: »

If you became disabled( for a time or permanently) and were working for a while before the disablement, you'ld get disability benefit and so would not qualify for the pass.

If you didn't feel like prostrating yourself before a civil servant in the social welfare office and were busy working away, you might not think you were eligible for a pass.

If you were to fail to meet the well paid civil servants in the social welfare office's limited understanding of habitually resident you would not get a pass.

If you were inconvenienced while IÉ closed the dart line for weekends for over a year to make their stations accessible and thought that might mean the ticket buying process was applicable also, you may not have thought of getting a pass

If you thought IÉ were crap and got a modified car but say you were going out for pints and decided to get the train instead just this once, and had paid CIÉ EUR3 just to park your car, you might not have a pass.

This post says it all.

The Golden Tickets are getting their reputation because the ordinary person deserving of them has to go through hoops that don't disrupt the skangers (or that the skangers don't have to go through).

And so we have the bizarre situation that some folk can travel the length and breadth of the country conducting their buying and selling, or visting their family during one of their regular stays in prison free of charge, using a Golden Ticket but some guy (or gal) who has made the effort, paid the tax and done the right thing is refused one due to varying interpretations of rules.

foggy_lad · 09-10-2012 09:40AM

Ah yes most of the "Golden Ticket" holders have paid their taxes for years and paid a lot more taxes than people are paying today, remember when the mortgage rates were 16-18%? so those whining about a few people with free travel should stop their whinging and thank their gods they are able to work and get about the place without all the pain and stress many with "Golden Tickets" must endure on a daily basis.

If this means leaving gates open at unmanned stations so be it!

Losty Dublin · 09-10-2012 10:21AM

parsi wrote: »

This post says it all.

The Golden Tickets are getting their reputation because the ordinary person deserving of them has to go through hoops that don't disrupt the skangers (or that the skangers don't have to go through).

And so we have the bizarre situation that some folk can travel the length and breadth of the country conducting their buying and selling, or visting their family during one of their regular stays in prison free of charge, using a Golden Ticket but some guy (or gal) who has made the effort, paid the tax and done the right thing is refused one due to varying interpretations of rules.

You well and truly have to to wonder, Parsi. I knew a guy a few years who had a free travel pass because he had some manner of an eye condition that meant he was "unable" to drive. It never stopped him managing to buy a car though :roll eyes: Or the people I see going to and from work in uniforms flashing their passes on a daily basis to go hundreds of miles at times, junkies who can't afford cups of tea but who can afford taxi's to get to their next fix and cans of beer, companion pass holders who's companions died years ago and those who use legit passes illegally, fake pass holders etc etc.

Or you have the likes of the lad in my office who a permanent wheelchair user who doesn't qualify for a pass. Or my dear old Mum who is barely able to use her pass to get onto a bus or train these days but when she does she is bowled over by the assistance of staff and passengers who assist her. Or those who retire (Or forced to) early and who aren't "old enough" or "sick enough" to get one. All of whom are some of the many many current tax payer who unlike many of those who use passes 24/7 paid for what others get to enjoy :roll eyes:

Anyway to make my point; if those who get the maximum out of their passes paid a little more for the circa €5,500 PA worth of free travel or if the State handed a bit more subvention to transport holdings then perhaps CIE and Luas would be able to employ staff to offer services longer during the day.

foggy_lad · 09-10-2012 10:44AM

Losty Dublin wrote: »

You well and truly have to to wonder, Parsi. I knew a guy a few years who had a free travel pass because he had some manner of an eye condition that meant he was "unable" to drive. It never stopped him managing to buy a car though :roll eyes: Or the people I see going to and from work in uniforms flashing their passes on a daily basis to go hundreds of miles at times, junkies who can't afford cups of tea but who can afford taxi's to get to their next fix and cans of beer, companion pass holders who's companions died years ago and those who use legit passes illegally, fake pass holders etc etc.

Nobody gets free travel because they cant drive! Just because someone is working full-time does not exclude them from having free travel as they may have a condition that is not recognisable like epilipsy but which does not stop them doing certain types of work.

Or you have the likes of the lad in my office who a permanent wheelchair user who doesn't qualify for a pass.

If he does not meet the qualifying criteria he wont get a pass. http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/FreeTravel/Pages/FreeTravel.aspx

Rules

You may be entitled to free travel if you are permanently living in the State and:

You are aged 66 or over
You are getting Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Carer's Allowance or an Invalidity Pension from the Department of Social Protection.
You have been getting Incapacity Supplement or Workmen's Compensation with Disablement Pension for at least 12 months
You are blind or visually impaired and meet the medical conditions for Blind Pension
You are a specified carer for a person getting Constant Attendance Allowance or Prescribed Relatives Allowance from the Department
You are getting a social security invalidity payment, or similar payment, from another EU member state or from a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement for at least 12 months
You are a widow or widower or a surviving civil partner aged 60 or over whose late spouse/civil partner held a free travel pass and who is getting one of the following payments: State Pension (Transition), Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Partner's (Contributory) Pension, Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension, One-Parent Family Payment, Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Partner's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme or a similar social security pension/benefit from an EU member state or a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement, or an ordinary Garda widow's pension.

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Or my dear old Mum who is barely able to use her pass to get onto a bus or train these days but when she does she is bowled over by the assistance of staff and passengers who assist her.

most old dears are bowled over because the bus takes off like a rocket before they get a chance to sit down!

Or those who retire (Or forced to) early and who aren't "old enough" or "sick enough" to get one. All of whom are some of the many many current tax payer who unlike many of those who use passes 24/7 paid for what others get to enjoy :roll eyes:

If you retire before 66 you will not be entitled to free travel due to your age, if you are "forced" to retire early due to ill health you will be entitled to free travel only if you meet the qualifying criteria!

Anyway to make my point; if those who get the maximum out of their passes paid a little more for the circa €5,500 PA worth of free travel or if the State handed a bit more subvention to transport holdings then perhaps CIE and Luas would be able to employ staff to offer services longer during the day.

If CIE employees were paid what their labour was worth Irish Rail could have stations manned 24/7/365, most staff in the CIE group are overpaid for what they do!

the_syco · 09-10-2012 12:27PM

Are there any tickets that you cannot buy in the machines that you can only get from the manned booths?

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Its a bit silly to be standing in a queue when there are 4 ticket machines that could be used.

The two times that I had to buy tickets there at Connolly, 3 of the 4 machines were not taking money, and/or were frozen.

Heck, the machine in Leixlip usually doesn't work, and/or just takes your money and doesn't print anything, so I often just pay at my destination.

Losty Dublin · 09-10-2012 12:42PM

the_syco wrote: »

Are there any tickets that you cannot buy in the machines that you can only get from the manned booths?

The two times that I had to buy tickets there at Connolly, 3 of the 4 machines were not taking money, and/or were frozen.

Heck, the machine in Leixlip usually doesn't work, and/or just takes your money and doesn't print anything, so I often just pay at my destination.

A good few but they'd be more one of a kind trips like Maynooth to Belfast; kids tickets, some weekly trips. Machines can be wonky or fiddly with notes or at times plain broken but it's not always the case. Some people plain don't trust the machines as well so staffed booths will be used.

the_syco · 09-10-2012 01:47PM

Losty Dublin wrote: »

kids tickets, some weekly trips.

Hrm. I'm pretty sure you can get kids tickets easy enough (select child rather than adult), but the weekly ones would be hit and miss, and I doubt they do the bus and rail tickets (that are only available from the train station)... can't say I'm surprised, though.

Losty Dublin · 09-10-2012 02:05PM

the_syco wrote: »

Hrm. I'm pretty sure you can get kids tickets easy enough (select child rather than adult), but the weekly ones would be hit and miss, and I doubt they do the bus and rail tickets (that are only available from the train station)... can't say I'm surprised, though.

Suburban ticket machines don't sell child tickets.

schemingbohemia · 09-10-2012 02:59PM

foggy_lad wrote: »

Ah yes most of the "Golden Ticket" holders have paid their taxes for years and paid a lot more taxes than people are paying today, remember when the mortgage rates were 16-18%? so those whining about a few people with free travel should stop their whinging and thank their gods they are able to work and get about the place without all the pain and stress many with "Golden Tickets" must endure on a daily basis.

If this means leaving gates open at unmanned stations so be it!

What have mortgage rates got to do with tax paid?

Hilly Bill · 09-10-2012 04:22PM

parsi wrote: »

This post says it all.

The Golden Tickets are getting their reputation because the ordinary person deserving of them has to go through hoops that don't disrupt the skangers (or that the skangers don't have to go through).

And so we have the bizarre situation that some folk can travel the length and breadth of the country conducting their buying and selling, or visting their family during one of their regular stays in prison free of charge, using a Golden Ticket but some guy (or gal) who has made the effort, paid the tax and done the right thing is refused one due to varying interpretations of rules.

I have to agree, the social welfare needs to clamp down on who gets these passes as its getting seriously abused. Ive seen a teenage girl crying because the pass that she was using belonged to her mother and was taken off her. Ive seen countless junkies and winos with them. Ive seen people trying to use a companion pass without the actual person they are ment to be accompanying. If you are abled bodied then you shouldnt be entitled to a pass end of, it should only be given to those that clearly deserve it and not because they have a limp etc.

Hilly Bill · 09-10-2012 04:29PM

foggy_lad wrote: »

Ah yes most of the "Golden Ticket" holders have paid their taxes for years and paid a lot more taxes than people are paying today, remember when the mortgage rates were 16-18%? so those whining about a few people with free travel should stop their whinging and thank their gods they are able to work and get about the place without all the pain and stress many with "Golden Tickets" must endure on a daily basis.

If this means leaving gates open at unmanned stations so be it!

How do you know if they have paid any taxes at all? and how do you know what someone is paying in taxes today? What has mortgage rates got to do with anything?
Its a lot more than a few people Foggy and a lot of them are clearly able to work. I take it that you have one then Foggy as you would be up in arms over it otherwise. What stress would someone on these tickets be under Foggy?
I remember a while back that you were on here giving out that gates were left open and now you dont mind one being open????????

Hilly Bill · 09-10-2012 04:36PM

foggy_lad wrote: »

Nobody gets free travel because they cant drive! Just because someone is working full-time does not exclude them from having free travel .

so those whining about a few people with free travel should stop their whinging and thank their gods they are able to work and get about the place without all the pain and stress many with "Golden Tickets" must endure on a daily basis.

I CIE employees were paid what their labour was worth Irish Rail could have stations manned 24/7/365, most staff in the CIE group are overpaid for what they do!

Would the first 2 quotes contradict each other?

As for the last one, you havent a clue how much anyone in CIE is getting paid or do to make such comments.

Hilly Bill · 09-10-2012 04:38PM

the_syco wrote: »

Are there any tickets that you cannot buy in the machines that you can only get from the manned booths?

The two times that I had to buy tickets there at Connolly, 3 of the 4 machines were not taking money, and/or were frozen.

Heck, the machine in Leixlip usually doesn't work, and/or just takes your money and doesn't print anything, so I often just pay at my destination.

There are actually six there, i missed counted

.

juan.kerr · 09-10-2012 04:43PM

There was an article in the Northside People recently about a couple of wheelchair passengers not being able to get on trains on a number of occasions each because the station was unmanned.

The ramp was locked so couldn't be used so they weren't able to travel.

The response from Irish Rail (bearing in mind they were given specific dates and times) was that there is normally someone there but due to EITHER annual leave or sick leave the station was unmanned that day.

They couldn't even go to the bother of confirming which of the two possibilities it was, which suggests to me that it was neither of these.

Victor · 09-10-2012 05:19PM

Can we stick vaguely to the topic?

Moderator

Hilly Bill · 09-10-2012 05:49PM

juan.kerr wrote: »

There was an article in the Northside People recently about a couple of wheelchair passengers not being able to get on trains on a number of occasions each because the station was unmanned.

The ramp was locked so couldn't be used so they weren't able to travel.

The response from Irish Rail (bearing in mind they were given specific dates and times) was that there is normally someone there but due to EITHER annual leave or sick leave the station was unmanned that day.

They couldn't even go to the bother of confirming which of the two possibilities it was, which suggests to me that it was neither of these.

http://www.dublinpeople.com/article.php?id=1587&l=100

juan.kerr · 09-10-2012 05:52PM

Hilly Bill wrote: »

http://www.dublinpeople.com/article.php?id=1587&l=100

Thanks.

"There are two staff members in Kilbarrack and it is ordinarily manned during opening hours, but due to annual leave or sickness on the occasion that he [Tony Lawless] travelled [September 4] the staff member had been redeployed to another station for that shift," she told Northside People.

Sounds iffy...

DART Stations Unmanned???

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