Nearly 500 people have signed a petition demanding the immediate implementation of reduced train fares for Drogheda and East Meath commuters, amid growing frustration over government delays.

Drogheda-based Labour TD Ged Nash announced that he will be raising the issue directly with the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, and the National Transport Authority (NTA) in the coming weeks, seeking an urgent response.

“After years of tireless campaigning, we were assured that by September 2024, Drogheda and East Meath would be included in the new reduced-fares Dublin commuter zone,” said Nash. “This change would have significantly reduced rail travel costs by up to half, offering much-needed relief to commuters, families, and workers who are currently burdened with exorbitant fares.”

However, the government and NTA have postponed the implementation of reduced fares until the first half of 2025 at the earliest. This delay has meant local commuters have continued to pay nearly double the price for fares compared to other similar routes. Nash described the postponement as “simply unacceptable”, particularly given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

“We cannot wait another year for reduced fares,” Deputy Nash stated. “The high cost of fares is forcing too many people to continue driving, contributing to increased climate emissions.”

In response, the Drogheda-based TD launched a local petition demanding that the government and NTA immediately reduce train fares for local commuters starting September 1st, 2024, as part of an interim solution. Nearly 500 people have signed the petition to date.

“The petition will be presented to Minister Eamon Ryan TD and the NTA later this week. I will be using the opportunity to reiterate our call for an immediate solution to implement Leap Card fares this month as promised.”