Madam, – I frequently travel from Galway to Belfast by car. Recently I decided to make the journey by train. An adult fare cost €78.
If I were to travel to Belfast and back 12 times a year, it would cost €936 and take 66 hours by train, cost €492 and take 90 hours by bus and cost €360 and take 60 hours by car.
Apart from a financially and/or time-draining desire to reduce my carbon footprint, for what reason would I use the public transport system again? – Yours, etc,
JOAN MULLOY,
Newcastle Road,
Galway.
Madam, – I wish to express my disgust at the price of public transport. Recently I was making a trip from Limerick to Dublin. As I do not drive I had chosen to get the train.
While checking the times online I also took a glance at the online prices, which stated that a single ticket from Limerick to Dublin would cost €15. I found this to be reasonable and assumed that there would not be a huge difference in the price in the station.
However, on arrival I went to purchase my ticket and to my horror I was being charged €50 to travel 3½ hours on a train. I was appalled at this price but unfortunately had no choice but to pay the fee as I needed to get to Dublin.
The following day, making my way from Dublin to my home town of Sligo, I went into Connolly station to check the price of a single ticket home. I was shocked to find it cost me €44. In total I spent €94 on travel in two days (not including the price of Luas tickets).
I find it absurd that I was forced to pay this amount in order to travel within my own country. I would travel to England and back for that amount, with change to spare.
Can anyone afford to pay these ridiculous prices? – Yours, etc,
MEGAN McKINNEY,
Mannionstown,
Strandhill,
Co Sligo.