Off-peak fares
April 15th, 2008
We’re making an adjustment to our fare increase - the fare increase will only apply at peak times. At other times, the fare will stay as before.
Off-peak is from 8.45 until 15.59 and after 7pm in the evening, as well as all day on Saturday and Sunday. We may even reduce the fare further at peak times, to increase off-peak ridership.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Two points about the decision to reduce the price of off peak services. The first is that if one uses off peak services mostly. The ten journey ticket is therefore more expensive than just paying on the bus.
The second is that surely buses in the morning coming to Swords are running at off peak capacity but the ones coming into town are obviusly running at peak capacity. The opposite is applicable in the evening So maybe the fare paid should reflect this.
An idea that would be convenient for customers (but would probably be too expensive) is the introduction of a smartcard system like Oyster which is used in London. In this system you can buy a daily, weekly, monthly, six monthly or annual ticket and also top up one’s card online. So instead of buying a weekly ticket I could top up by €50 and use it as and when I needed to. Online topup would be very convenient.
Also, is there anyway that Swords Expres could become part of an integrated transport scheme the same way as in London where it works excellently.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:08 am
You are right, the fares quickly get very complicated. You are right re the 10-journey ticket. It means that you still need to have cash handy for off-peak journeys.
The smartcard system is really what we need to administer this. The plan is that the government, through the Integrated Ticketing System will introduce this. We are involved in this scheme. There is a lot that could be said about the scheme, but one thing it certainly does is makes it very difficult for Swords Express to economically introduce a scheme of our own - we have to wait for the government scheme.
The recently announced DTA is supposed to address this issue.
One of the reasons we have introduced the 10-journey ticket is actually to speed up boarding at peak times. The amount of time it takes to issue a ticket is actually a big issue at peak and can slow down the buses. We hope to save a minute or two on the journey in this way.
May 6th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Admin, if people would have their correct change when they board it would be most helpful. Please put up a big sign, saying HAVE YOUR CORRECT FARE READY.Dublin bus would not put up with this. It is taking 10 minutes some mornings to board all the people at the Pennys, and it is not usually the drivers fault. It is the customers. This is very annoying to individuals who have their money or ticket ready.