“Anomalies and inequities remain in the new system"

Labour TD, Ged Nash says the arrival of new fares for Drogheda rail commuters on Monday is the result of a long campaign to have the town included in the Dublin Commuter Zone.

However, Deputy Nash said there are still “inequities and anomalies” in the new system that will mean, Laytown commuters, for example, will actually see the cost of their monthly taxsaver tickets, increase by €6 from €190 to €196.

Deputy Nash said: “The inclusion of Drogheda in the Dublin Commuter Zone has been heralded since January of last year, and it has been a frustrating wait for local commuters while the necessary infrastructure was put in place to roll out the new fares.

“Most of the new fares will result in significant savings for local commuters and that is to be welcomed, albeit later than we might have hoped.

“Day-trippers will see the greatest benefit with the cost of a single between Drogheda and Dublin halved from €11.95 to €6, with a Leap Card. A day return will cost €14.

“However, anomalies and inequities remain in the new system that splits the Dublin Commuter Zone into four zones.”

He explained: “Drogheda and Laytown have been placed in Zone 3 and while that has brought the monthly taxsaver tickets for Drogheda commuters down from €211 to €196, Laytown commuters using this specific kind of ticket will actually find themselves paying more.

“I’m not convinced there needs to be four zones for these fares. It seems crazy to me that commuters in Laytown in Zone 3 will pay €196 for their ticket while their near neighbours in Gormanston which lies in Zone 2, will only pay €140.

“Clearly, with any radical shake-up of fares, there will be anomalies but it is important to highlight them and have them addressed so that these much-vaunted new fares, are fairly applied, across the board.”

Deputy Nash added: “Regular commuters and day-trippers from Drogheda will see a benefit in their pockets from these fare changes and it is about time.

“The inclusion of Drogheda in the Dublin Commuter Zone is something I have long campaigned for and frankly, I’ve been a thorn in the side of the National Transport Authority on this issue for some time and I’m glad they have finally acted to make fares fairer for Drogheda commuters.”

He concluded: “I will continue to monitor how these changes impact on local commuters and I will continue to highlight any inequities I find in how they are applied.”