Sir, - Your article (The Irish Times, January 10th) said the increase in train fares which took effect that day was the first such increase in several years.
For commuters travelling on the Dublin /Drogheda/ Dundalk suburban line, this is definitely not the case. Promotional fares along this route, which are of course of major relevance to commuters, have been increased four times since 1996. A Drogheda/Dublin weekly ticket originally cost £17.50 when I first began travelling. This was raised firstly to £19, shortly afterwards to £21 and within several months to £22.50. This fare now stands at £24 since Monday's increase, which incidentally represents a hike of nearly 7 per cent and an overall increase of 37 per cent when compared to the 1996 cost. A corresponding monthly ticket has jumped by 7.4 per cent, from £81 to £87.
I am not hopeful that the latest fare hike will bring about a better service. Previous increases have not been commensurate with any such improvement. - Yours, etc.,
Colin Hickey, Painestown, Drogheda, Co Meath.