Sir, – Yesterday I took the 8am train from Dublin Heuston to Limerick Colbert, where I passed a very pleasant and rewarding day visiting St John’s Church, St Mary’s Cathedral and eating a reasonably priced restaurant nearby.
I took the track from Limerick to Dublin that evening, and on the journey back home I asked the woman providing the refreshments to customers that I would like to order a coffee. The young woman working the refreshment trolley informed me that they only took cards. I asked why and she explained to me that this was company policy. When I asked how long Irish Rail had this policy, I was informed that the service has been outsourced to a private catering company.
The young woman who worked on the train was very courteous and helpful, so I felt it was unfair and unreasonable to press her any further on this matter. However, I would like to bring this issue to public attention bearing in mind that I paid over €50 for the return trip, which I have no problem with except for the fact that I was inconvenienced in not being facilitated in having the option of buying a refreshment while other passengers were entitled to this facility.
Why does Irish Rail not provide an option of a cash payment and not presume that all of their customers use third-party payment facilities for making a payment? Cash is, after all, still legal tender! – Yours, etc,
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DERMOT DEERING,
Kilmainham,
Dublin 8.