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Irish Independent
01-05-2025
- Irish Independent
‘It's really shocking': Skerries commuters say there is ‘no justification' for Irish Rail fare hike
A number of commuters waiting at Skerries station on Wednesday morning said they are considering driving to Rush and Lusk as it is now cheaper to catch the train there. Changes introduced by the National Transport Authority (NTA) this week mean commuters travelling from Rush and Lusk benefit from cheaper train fares, but those travelling from nearby Skerries and Balbriggan are facing hikes. Under a major shake-up of rail fares in the Greater Dublin area, the cost of a Leap Card journey from Rush and Lusk to Dublin's Connolly Station has dropped to just €2. However, passengers boarding at nearby Skerries now face a 30pc increase, with Leap fares rising from €3 to €3.90. For cash fares, the cost jumps from €3.90 to €5.10. Under the new fare structure, Balbriggan and Skerries have been grouped into the Dublin Commuter Zone – along with towns in Kildare, Wicklow, and Louth – rather than being included in the Dublin City Zone like other Dublin stations. 'It's really shocking to be honest with you,' said Fiona Monroe, who was waiting on the northern commuter train to Dublin. 'I'm a mother of three, and they are all regular commuters. It's just another pinch point on top of the other costs and high cost of living as well. 'We're so close to the Dublin boundary and we were previously within that commuter belt, so I just think it's very unfair for the NTA to enforce that on us. 'I think now when going to meet friends in town I'll be driving, absolutely. I just feel so annoyed we've been afflicted with this extra cost,' she added. Fine Gael TD Grace Boland, who was among those getting the train into Dublin city centre, said that Skerries and Balbriggan are the only two train stations in the whole of county Dublin seeing fare increases. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'It is simply not acceptable at a time when we're trying to encourage more people to take public transportation,' she said. 'I've been inundated with emails from commuters, but also parents with children travelling into town to go to school.' Deputy Boland also said she has heard of people considering driving to Rush-Lusk railway station instead, as the fare will be cheaper there. 'The problem with going to Rush and Lusk is that it's a very rural road that is already overburdened,' she said. 'It's a very dangerous entrance and exit to the station, a limited carpark and it also defeats the purpose of having public transport in your local town.' The NTA has defended the new fare structure, which introduces a four-zone system stretching out 50 kilometres from Dublin city centre. While most passengers in areas like Drogheda, Laytown and Enfield are seeing significant savings, commuters in Skerries, Balbriggan, Greystones, Kilcock and Sallins are being hit with increases. Alicia Murtagh, who takes the train roughly 10 times a week, said she was disappointed with the fare increases. 'It's going to be challenging. I didn't know this was happening and I'm on minimum wage so it's just an added cost,' she said. Fellow commuter Kevin O'Sullivan said he has signed a petition calling for Skerries to be treated the same as other train stations within Dublin county. 'It seems a bit extreme that down the track in Rush they're paying €2 while we here in Skerries are paying €3.90,' he said. Irene Weldon, whose son and husband regularly commute in and out of the city centre, said she feels it's 'unfair' that Skerries hasn't been included in the Dublin City Zone. 'I can't help but think there's no real justification for it,' she said.
Irish Independent
22-04-2025
- Irish Independent
‘We cannot allow bus services to be driven off our streets by fear', says Dublin TD
The driver was waiting to start driving a number 13 bus at Mountjoy Square on Friday night, when a man got on board and pointed a gun at him. The 7, 7a and 13 bus routes are not serving Mountjoy Square after 7pm as a result. For Routes 7 and 7a, customers can go to stop 4725 O'Connell Street Upper, while for Route 13, they can go to stop 261 Parnell Square East instead. Grace Boland, Fine Gael TD for Fingal West, said greater security on public transport is required. 'Central Dublin bus services were disrupted this weekend following violent threats against drivers – most recently, a terrifying incident where a driver was threatened with a suspected firearm in Mountjoy Square,' she said. 'Recent violent attacks on bus drivers in Dublin have highlighted the dangerous conditions facing our public transport workers. 'These incidents are not isolated. SIPTU has been raising the alarm for months about escalating violence and anti-social behaviour on our buses. 'Our drivers are on the frontlines, serving the public every day, and they deserve to feel safe in their workplaces. 'Drivers are being left to manage rising passenger numbers in an increasingly volatile environment, with little or no added support. 'The Programme for Government made a clear commitment to establish a dedicated Transport Security Force under the National Transport Authority. ADVERTISEMENT 'That commitment must be honoured. Delays are putting lives at risk. We cannot allow bus services to be driven off our streets by fear. 'It's not enough to condemn these attacks after they happen – we need a proactive, coordinated response. That means visible enforcement, a dedicated security presence on our public transport.' Dublin Bus confirmed the incident involving one of their vehicles in the vicinity of Mountjoy Square late on Friday night. 'No customers were on board at the time. We are providing full support to the driver involved and we are liaising with An Garda Siochana,' a spokesperson from Dublin Bus said. 'We will continue to assist them in any way possible. As the investigation is ongoing, we are not in a position to comment further at this time. 'Dublin Bus has been actively working to address the issue of anti-social behaviour, through increased co-operation with An Garda Síochána and strong community work across the city and county. 'In October 2024, Dublin Bus launched its new Safer Journeys Team, aimed at enhancing safety and security across its network. 'This landmark pilot, the first in the company's history, arose from key recommendations put forward by independent security experts, and forms part of the company's ongoing commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for customers and employees. 'The safety and security of our customers and employees has always been, and remains, our top priority. 'We have consistently lobbied for the establishment of a transport police since 2022. While the commitment in the Programme for Government is a significant and positive step, the key now is timely and effective implementation.'
