Arrived at Heuston at 1740, to find that the 1735 to Carlow was still on P4, with the 1805 to Portlaoise also booked to depart from P4 at 1805 (well, in theory). It was 1750 before a 22000 railcar in service arrived in the station. This then had to be serviced before it could be used for the outbound 1805, which meant that boarding did not commence until 1759 with no ticket check. Where is the zero tolerance on ticket checking?
Archive for July, 2008
31st July 2008 - Heuston Station
Thursday, July 31st, 2008The Perfect Storm
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008Well, this morning turned out to be a classic for Irish Rail. If they wanted to create a set of circumstances that would lead me to complain, they couldn’t have done better.
I arrived at Hazelhatch at 0716 to see that the ticket office was closed. Because there are no ticket machines at Hazelhatch, any passenger without a ticket was unable to buy one.
I walked through the platform shelter to see a passenger smoking in breach of the enclosed workplace smoking ban. The 0717, which has been fairly punctual recently, was late. On board this late running 0717, two staff wearing IE hi viz vests were occupying seats in first carriage whilst passengers were standing, thereby depriving passengers of said seats.
Of course, the piece de resistance came at Heuston Station. Last year, I had a letter published in the Liffey Champion asking Irish Rail to clarify what would happen if passengers turned up at Hazelhatch to find no means of buying a ticket and there was subsequently a zero tolerance ticket check at Heuston. Needless to say the pieces of shite, into which human DNA was injected in a scientific experiment gone wrong, refused to reply (unusual for the PR shite, who usually likes to see its name in print).
The perfect storm for me materialized upon arrival in Heuston Station when, despite there being no means of buying a ticket at Hazelhatch, the goons in Heuston had a zero tolerance ticket check.
To the genetic turds, I have written to the Minister for Transport outlining why it would be in his interests (and yours) to outlaw your behaviour. I’m sure that your pal who perjured himself in the High Court over the Foynes Line will receive a copy of the letter, as the standard practice of the incompetents in the civil service is to ask the criminals in the State Agencies to investigate their own wrongdoing.
Parkwest & Cherry Orchard
Saturday, July 26th, 2008This new station opens on Monday 28th July 2008. It is interesting to note that despite moving the station some half mile further out from Heuston, that no timetable change has occured, i.e., the new station’s train times are the same as the old station’s times.
In my opinion, this goes to show that the timetable on the Kildare Line is a work of pure fiction.
http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/travel_alerts.asp?action=view&news_id=407
23rd July 2008 - 1805 ex Heuston to Portlaoise
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008In what can only be described as a weasel worded excuse for a couldn’t give a shit attitude, at 1752, it was announced that the 1805 to Portlaoise was delayed due to “safety checks” on the train (which was at the platform). Are you telling us that the 22000s are dangerous?
Dublin Bus drivers unaware of ticket validity
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008Recently I went on holidays, flying out of Dublin Airport. As my car needed repair, I used Dublin Bus to get to the airport. I have an annual pass and checked this to see was the AIRLINK bus excluded. No reference to this (only ferry services).
I had to argue with the bus driver at Heuston Station for 10 minutes to get him to accept my ticket before he eventually found a booklet that had been given to him which stated that the ticket type I had was valid.
I pay CIE €980 a year for this ticket. I expect their staff to know what they are doing when I turn up to use their services.
CIE view this site too!
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008Surprise Surprise, CIE are checking up on me. That is one of the advantages of owning your own site, you can check to see who is visiting. I’m honoured lads, I really am!