There’s nothing I like more than a snooze on the train on the way to work. I think I deserve it, I get up at 5am and it takes me two hours (door to door) to get to work, one hour fifteen minutes of which is spent at the mercy of Iarnród Éireann (pronounced Ear-in Road Air-inn and directly translated means Iron road Ireland, or Irish Rail, now enough of the cultural nonsense, they’re pissing me off again!). I’ve just sent them a letter.
Customer Relation Department
Northern and Eastern
Iarnród Éireann
Conolly Station
Amien Street
Dublin 1
9th January 2008
Re: Downgrade of the 6.04am service Drogheda/Dublin in 2008.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to ask you why the quality of the above service has grossly deteriorated in the first week of 2008.
Before the start of this year, this service was a comfortable one where one could relax and more importantly, given the time of the morning it is, nap for a while and upon arrival at Dublin Pearse station feel refreshed and ready to begin work. So far this year though, this has not been the case. The type of carriage that is now on this service is one of the older (sub-standard in my opinion) carriages.
This type of carriage does not have the usual ergonomically designed individual seats, instead it comprises of the two seater bench seats, which look more at home on a 1970’s school bus than on a twenty first century commuter train in what is considered as being the richest country of the EU. Falling asleep on this type of seat is impossible.
I implore you to restore this service to its former standard, for the sake of my health, the well being of my work colleagues, who are starting to feel the brunt of my non-sleep, for the sake of human decency and, seeing as you have just increased the fare by 5% from today, purely out of respect for your customers who have no other choice but to use this service every day to get to work. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Jack McMad
As usual, I bet I don’t hear anything from them.
11 responses so far ↓
Grannymar // January 9, 2008 at 12:19 pm
You went about it the wrong way! Your letter was all Me, Me, Me!
Send another letter without whinging or grumbles from the angle of your thought for other passengers and the damage Iarnród Éireann are doing to their image, Irish Tourism and the country as a whole. Ask for a full explanation for the changes and the price increase.
To heck with Customer Relation Department! Find out the correct initials, name and title (if you don’t already know it) of Mr No 1 in the organisation. No doubt Ireland being at the forefront when it comes to work relations etc. the No 1 person will be a MAN.
Address the envelope for this person’s Personal Attention. Sign your name slightly differently to last time.
Keep a copy of all correspondence.
Grannymar // January 9, 2008 at 12:22 pm
PS Forget about the falling asleep bit or you might give them another reason to increase the fares further!
JackMcmad // January 9, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Go Grannymar! I never had you down for an active leftie revolutionist. Cheers for the advice! I did actually use my proper name in the correspondence and it was done online on the irish rail website. I think I will write to head honcho aswell though.
Baino // January 9, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Trust that Grannymar to have complaints down to a fine art. It’s good advice, she gets free stuff after complaining you know.
And what’s wrong with bench seats? You’re getting soft. They give you the opportunity to lean on your neighbour’s shoulder and dribble on his sleeve!
Grannymar // January 10, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Baino I spent my annual food vouchers yesterday.
It took a nice chunk off my shopping bill. 
Bald Devil // January 11, 2008 at 1:12 pm
You must have been in teriffic form this morning then Jack.
Bald Devil arranged it, just for you.
Bald Devil loves you all.
Bald Devil // January 11, 2008 at 1:14 pm
This might work better. Come visit me..
JackMcmad // January 11, 2008 at 2:25 pm
BD: I must be the only Northern Line commuter out of 7000 to make it into work today and all it took was a car and a bus journey. Mind you I did arrive 3 hours late and using the same mathematics I will finish 3 hours early just so I can be at home on time. I see by your IP that you didn’t make it.
Rekki // January 12, 2008 at 10:08 am
oh boy, am i glad i don’t have to make the trek every day now.
Bald Devil // January 12, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Hi Rekki.
Bald Devil is glad too, he doesnt have to put up with your crap anymore..
Moaning git!
Bald Devil loves some of you.
EmptyHead // January 13, 2008 at 4:28 am
Hey Jack, that’s too bad my friend. I hate those carriages too and they’ve hiked the price too? Cheeky feckers.
Here’s a little comparison to PT in Oz. I’ve just bought a monthly Met ticket for $160 AUD for zones 1 and 2. That’s the equivalent of €100 per month to travel on any train, bus or luas in a 50 mile radius of Dublin city centre. The seating isn’t the most comfortable over here but with that value for money, who cares?
Leave a Comment