AN increase in parking charges at Dublin train
stations has been condemned by a commuter support body.
Rail Users Ireland (RUI) has argued that parking at
rail stations such as Dalkey and Booterstown should be free for users, unless a
local shuttle bus or a physical security presence is provided at car parks.
The criticism was levelled after car parking charges
at some rail stations increased from
?¬2 to
?¬3 a day.
“This represents a 50 per cent increase,
? RUI
spokesperson Mark Gleeson said.
“The timing is completely inappropriate in the
run up to Christmas when leaving the car behind and using the train should be
encouraged.
?
He also accused Irish Rail of not being transparent
regarding lower cost options for rail users.
“While Irish Rail claim passengers can avail of lower
costs options through a Park By Text system, the fact is that it is littered
with hidden charges ranging from 30 cent to
?¬1 per transaction, plus extra
monthly account maintenance fees,
? he claimed.
“And of course, the user must
pay for the price of sending the text as well.
?
Mr Gleeson claimed that a monthly ticket was cheaper
when paid for with cash as opposed to users availing of the Park By Text
service.
The text service has recently been introduced at all
stations with paid car parks.
It provides customers with an option to pay for their
parking without carrying cash or having to display a ticket on their car
window.
“Commuters are parking elsewhere or simply no longer
using the train due to the combination of parking charges, excessive fares and
poor rail services,
? Mr Gleeson claimed.
Irish Rail spokesperson, Barry Kenny, said the changes
to parking charges had been planned well in advance of the budget. He has urged
commuters to avail of the lower cost coin-free system.
The new rates came into effect on Monday, December 12.
The daily parking charge at Dalkey and Booterstown train stations will increase
by
?¬1, to
?¬3, while the weekly fee will be raised to
?¬10, up from
?¬8.
Rail users have been urged to visit www.irishrail.ie
for more information.