Tolan Welcomes Fairer Fares Progress

A major reduction in bus and train fares for Meath commuters is one step closer with the first phase of the new fares determination for Public Service Obligation (PSO) services taking effect from last week.

This week short journey fares increased slightly for Luas, Dublin Bus and Irish Rail services in this phase, leading to a 20 cent increase for TFI Leap Card users for short journeys. A new flat town fare of €1.50 for Leap Card users is being implemented on regional town and bus services in Navan, Drogheda, Dundalk, Athlone, Balbriggan, Carlow, Clonmel, Kilkenny and Sligo.

Tickets purchased using a TFI Leap Card or via the TFI Go App continue to offer the best value fares. Half price fares continue to apply to young adults aged 19-25 years who hold a valid Young Adult Leap Card and students aged 26 years or older who hold a valid Student Leap Card.

Long time Fairer Fares Campaigner and newly elected Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Sharon Tolan has today welcomed progress on her Fairer Fares Campaign.

“Phase 2 of the strategy will take effect later this year and aims to make fares more equitable and easier to understand," said Tolan.

"The cost per kilometer travelled will become more consistent and will be related to the straight-line distance between the journey starting point and destination," she added.

"The second phase will also involve the implentation of the new Dublin City Zone and the new Dublin Commuter Zone, a significant reduction in Leap Card multimodal caps, and the introduction of Leap travel credit at all Dublin Commuter Zone rail stations, which include Gormanston, Laytown and Drogheda. Overall, the fare changes represent a rebalancing of fares so that they are fairer and more consistent for everyone.

"It was great to see more progress this week, with the installation of Leap machines in Laytown, and I understand work will continue in Gormanston and Drogheda stations also. These will be ready for use as soon as Phase 2 takes effect. I will be keeping the public updated on that date as soon as I have it.” said Tolan.