Major fare reductions for Meath commuters
A major reduction in bus and train fares is on the cards for Meath commuters with the introduction of the Dublin Commuter Zone which will extend approximately 50km from Dublin city centre to include towns such as Navan, Trim, Enfield, Laytown, Ashbourne and Drogheda .
In some cases, commuters will see a massive 50per cent reduction, such as the standard single adult rail fare from Drogheda to Dublin which will drop from €11.95 to just €6.
Bus users in Ashbourne and Ratoath will now be included in the Dublin City Zone with fares to the city centre reducing from €3.40 to just €2.40 on Leap. As part of the Dublin Commuter Zone, bus users in Dunshaughlin will see a reduction in their ticket price to the city centre from €4.06 to €3.70, and in Trim the fare will be reduced massively from €7.35 to just €5.30, a 28 per cent saving.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) published its long-awaited National Fares Determination today which delivers huge reductions in the price of bus and train fares across the country for many commuters. The traditional Short Hop Zone is to be discontinued, and commuters will see the introduction of zonal and distance based fares.
Fairer Fares Campaigner, Cllr Sharon Tolan welcomed the news that public transport users will see significant reductions in train and bus fares nationally.
“I am so delighted that I can now officially say we have delivered Fairer Fares for all! We will no longer see commuters from Meath and Louth treated unfairly or subsidising cheap fares for others.
"This has been a major issue for commuters here in Meath and Louth and I have been highlighting the disparity and unfairness of this for a long time now. After a prolonged engagement and sustained lobbying with the NTA, including many meetings at government level, they have now revised the zoning model and are making significant changes for the betterment of rail and bus users in these areas. Fine Gael in government have helped me deliver this by keeping the pressure on the NTA and making the Fairer Fares issue party policy, and so ensuring we are putting money back in people’s pockets.
"This is huge news for current commuters, occasional day trippers, students and those who are still using their cars to get in and out of Dublin. These changes will be implemented over a phased basis, as the necessary equipment is upgraded, and I expect them to be fully implemented by September."