NTA Faces Backlash for Delay in Promised Fare Reductions for Drogheda Commuters
The National Transport Authority ( NTA )has once again failed to deliver on promises of fare reductions for commuters in the Drogheda and East Meath area.
After years of campaigning by local TDs, councillors, and passenger groups, the NTA announced in January that Drogheda and Laytown would be included in the new Dublin Commuter Zone by September 2024, resulting in significantly lower fares. However, this implementation has now been postponed to early 2025.
Despite efforts to promote public transport use over cars and the impending arrival of the Dart in Drogheda, high fares remain a significant issue.
Projected fare reductions included:
• Adult return from Drogheda to Dublin: from €19.50 to €14.00
• Weekly adult ticket: from €61.20 to €56.00
• Monthly adult ticket: from €211 to €196
Local TDs expressed outrage over the delay, citing “significant technical challenges” as the NTA’s reason. Deputy Fergus O’Dowd called the delay unacceptable, urging for a temporary fare reduction until the new systems are operational.
Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster was less conciliatory, saying: “For many years now I’ve been raising the issue of the unfairness of rail fares between Balbriggan when compared to Gormanstown, Laytown and Drogheda and was told that the review would address these issues.
“The review was finally published in April 2023 – almost 15 months ago and in January of this year the NTA outlined in its Fare Determination that fare reductions in the Dublin Commuter Zone would be introduced in September.
“Now that we’re less than two months out we’re hearing that there will be further delays. This shows a woeful lack of preparation from the NTA.
“It demonstrates that there is no urgency on the NTA’s part to deliver on their commitments to deliver affordable and fair public transport and fares.
“The NTA have blamed Irish Rail and others, but they should have engaged and ensured that this change could be delivered on time for commuters to avail of more affordable public transport when people go back to work after their summer break.
“This is a very disappointing development for commuters and the fact that this could have, and should have been avoided compounds it.”
Labour Deputy Ged Nash highlighted the longstanding fare disparity between Drogheda and other areas like Wicklow. Both called for immediate government intervention to address the issue.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, the delay in implementing a fairer fare structure is seen as a significant setback for commuters who rely on public transport.
