Fare crack of the whip sought for east coast passengers

Fine Gael Councillor, Sharon Tolan has called on Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority to immediately address the issue of high fares for train users on the Northern Line to Drogheda.

Speaking last week at the briefing about the latest public consultation process for the revised Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy, Tolan raised two important issues for East Meath and Drogheda directly with CE Anne Graham.

“If we are to encourage people to leave the car at home and use public transport then we need a fairer fare structure for Northern Line passengers at Gormanston, Laytown and Drogheda.

"The monthly rate for an adult from Laytown to Connolly is €237, whilst a mere six minutes down the line at Balbriggan it is €145. If I want to take a trip to Dublin City to shop or socialise, or indeed meet with the NTA, it would cost €21.15 for a return ticket from Laytown, but if I drove to Balbriggan I could get a return ticket for almost half the price at €11.20.

"In fact, it would be cheaper for me to pay for parking in Dublin City Centre than take the train from Laytown, Gormanston or Drogheda.

"The 2016 Census was an eye opener for everyone except the NTA, the Department of Transport or our Senior decision makers. The commuter figures for Laytown-Bettystown showed 501 people were taking the train to work, 805 using the bus and a massive 9,764 drove by car. Ms Graham told me that the NTA will be looking at a revised fare structure during this review, but this needs to be addressed now.”