Fares to fall next week due to lack of LEAP?

[jacko]

In its fares determination for Irish Rail published last October the NTA stated

where the Leap card is not available in this area by the 1st August 2014 and the Authority hasn’t approved of a new implementation date, then specific fares in the Cork Cobh Midleton area will revert to their previous rates.

So all Irish Rail had to do was to install a validator(s) in Cobh Rushbrooke, Carrigaloe, Fota, Glounthaune, Little Island, Midleton and Carrigtwohill.

10 months to install some validators and they havent !

Question - will the fares come back to 2013 levels next Friday?

and if not, how can we as cobh/midleton commuters ensure that nta stick by its decision

[Mark Gleeson]

Good point, I fear however that a deal has been cut.

Will let you know, either way

[markpb]

The text of the dare determination gives them an easy out, all the NTA has to do is agree a new implementation date.

[Mark Gleeson]

True but that would require a formal notification of the new date...

[jacko]

Am I right in saying that without NTA written agreement Irish Rail is legally obliged to charge the old fare eg: €7.70 Cork/Cobh return rather than €8.50?

How will TVM's be readied in time for Friday morning?

[Mark Gleeson]

Contractually that would be the case.

We are still awaiting a response from the NTA.

[Jamie2k9]

Wouldn't worry about fares for Friday, its nearly guaranteed they will sign off and give them linger. Always have always will!

Why are IE dragging out rolling Leap in Cork, is it their financials or the potential loss of revenue, correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the Cork commuter make good money.

[Mark Gleeson]

There are claims of procurement issues. Irish Rail's ticketing equipment framework expired last year so a new one had to be tendered.

The reality is there is no agreement in place today so the fare should fall

[Mark Gleeson]

NTA granted an exception and has set Sept 11th as a hard date, no further slippage

[bg07]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

NTA granted an exception and has set Sept 11th as a hard date, no further slippage

Do they have any of the necessary infrastructure (barrier and/or poles) installed at any of the stations other than at Kent & Mallow?

[jacko]

Originally Posted by bg07

Do they have any of the necessary infrastructure (barrier and/or poles) installed at any of the stations other than at Kent & Mallow?

No

TVM's were installed last year at all stations on Cobh lines - would have made sense to do validators at same time

[Mark Gleeson]

Yes it would, but no funding was available at that time to install LEAP equipment

[bg07]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

NTA granted an exception and has set Sept 11th as a hard date, no further slippage

At the glacial speed that leap roll out has happened to date there is no way they will achieve that date. They have to install new ticket barriers/validators, upgrade the ticketing system software, upgrade the tvm's hardware and software to take smart cards and test all the components of the system. With all the protracted procuring procedures thrown in the mix as well it will be the end of the year at best I think.

[comcor]

There is now a shop in Cobh that is operating as a Leap Card agent.

That could be taken as a good sign, until you discover that they've also added an agent in Dunmanway, a full 45km from the nearest Leap service.

Still nothing in Ballincollig (16k inhabitants), Glanmire (15k), Carrigaline (13k), Passage West (5k) or Crosshaven (2k) a full 6 months after the card launched in the Cork area.

[jacko]

IR now blaming implementation of a software upgrade !

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland...ed-278767.html

[finnyus]

Originally Posted by comcor

There is now a shop in Cobh that is operating as a Leap Card agent.

That could be taken as a good sign, until you discover that they've also added an agent in Dunmanway, a full 45km from the nearest Leap service.

Still nothing in Ballincollig (16k inhabitants), Glanmire (15k), Carrigaline (13k), Passage West (5k) or Crosshaven (2k) a full 6 months after the card launched in the Cork area.

Is it still the case that Super Valu in Merchants Quay SC is the only Leap agent in the city? Last time I wanted to top up my Leap Card for the Cork buses, the bus station and Kent didn't have the facilities. The guy at the bus station told me to go to Super Valu to top up.

[comcor]

There's a few others in the city centre. Spar on MacCurtain St and Centra on Washington St. The Centras on Grand Parade are officially listed, but I'm not sure if they still do.

There's no self-service point.

The fact that you can't top up in the bus station is almost unbelievable six months after launch.

You couldn't make up how bad the roll-out in Cork has been. And yet, unbelievably, it looks like around 20% of bus users are using them. I guess forcibly converting the Taxsavers and offering a discount has some effect.

[jacko]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

NTA granted an exception and has set Sept 11th as a hard date, no further slippage

No sign of any work being done to date on installation

As a daily commuter on the line who knows the set up well I can guarantee that sept 11 deadline will not be met !

[jacko]

Deadline day on Friday and still no sign of any work

NTA have been taken for a ride on this one by IR

So back to 2013 fares on Friday?

[Mark Gleeson]

Its a bit more complex than that

I understand as of Friday monthly/annual tickets issued from then on should be at the 2013 price.

I wouldn't expect physical hardware in situ until Q1 2015