Irish Rail insisted yesterday it would reimburse holders of prepaid tickets disrupted by this week's wildcat action by line inspectors, although members of its customer service staff have informed the public no refunds would be paid.
An Irish Times reporter was told yesterday at the customer relations office at Heuston Station there would be no refund. If he wished to take the matter further, he would have to write to the customer relations manager at head office.
But Irish Rail denied reports that customers were refused refunds on weekly and monthly season tickets at some Dublin mainline stations. A spokeswoman said: "People should hold on to their tickets and return them when they expire to the CIE Travel Centre in Abbey Street when they will receive a pro rata refund."
Dublin Bus has adopted a similar policy because of the continuing dispute by the National Bus and Rail Union, now set to enter its third week.
"People have been coming in to 59 Upper O'Connell Street all day for refunds," a spokesman said. "We're refunding on the basis of £2 a day for weekly and monthly ticket-holders."
Schoolchildren travelling on the school link service, contracted out by the company to private carriers, "who use our tickets" will be reimbursed at the rate of £1 a day, the spokesman added.