Most intercity rail fares rise after review

ALMOST TWO-THIRDS of Iarnród Éireann’s intercity fares will increase today, following changes to its fare structure.

The new structure will be simpler, replacing complex five-day return and weekend options with just three tickets types – a single, a day return, or an open return valid within 30 days of departure.

The changes will see 65 per cent of rail fares go up, 30 per cent go down and 5 per cent remain the same.

The structure will, however, end the anomaly where some single fares could cost more than a return ticket to the same destination.

The new fares are the maximum customers can be charged at train stations, while Iarnród Éireann can still offer lower cost promotional online discounts.

Fares will now also be set according to the speed of the train and the class of carriage.

The changes were approved by the National Transport Authority last month following a fare revision application made by Iarnród Éireann.

Defending the increase, Barry Kenny of Iarnród Éireann said that for fares over €25, it was the first fare revision in more than three years.

“In the last four years we’ve seen our subvention reduce by €59 million, which is about 30 per cent. We’ve reduced our costs by about €79 million, but for us to maintain our level of service, we do have to raise additional revenues.”

Under the new structure, a single fare from Dublin to Cork will decrease from €66 to € 60.

For those returning on the same day, the fare will remain at €71; for those travelling at the weekend, the five-day return ticket costing €71 has been abolished and is replaced with an open return ticket costing €77. A monthly return ticket will drop from €78.50 to €77.

Overall, the increases range up to 13 per cent on some longer distance routes, while decreases are up to 29 per cent, with the most significant price drops on Galway and Rosslare routes.