NTA replies to ‘wholly inequitable’ fare disparity between Galway and Dublin
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has acknowledged inconsistencies in intercity train fares between Galway and Dublin and has committed to developing a future fares strategy for the west.
Galway East TD Albert Dolan raised with the Tánaiste in late May what he described as the “wholly inequitable” fares commuters are paying for journeys in Galway compared with those travelling within Dublin city zones.
He pointed out that a journey from Clonsilla to Connolly Station in Dublin takes approximately 28 minutes and costs €2.60 in cash, or €2 for passengers using a TFI card.
By comparison, a journey from Athenry to Galway takes about 20 minutes and costs €6.80 when purchased at the booking office, or €5.10 online.
The Tánaiste said Deputy Dolan had raised a “fair point” on the issue.
“We are obviously increasing our investment in public transport, but the affordability and fairness of public transport across all parts of the country is, of course, a legitimate issue that the Government will consider,” the Tánaiste said, adding that he would discuss the matter with Irish Rail and Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien.
A spokesperson for the NTA told the Irish Independent that the distances involved in the two journeys are approximately 12km and 20km respectively.
The NTA is responsible for setting public transport fares, including those charged by Iarnród Éireann, under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008.
While the NTA acknowledged that current fares on Public Service Obligation (PSO) services “are not always equitable, consistent, or easy to understand”, it said fares are calculated by route and corridor rather than distance.
The Clonsilla-Connolly route falls within the re-established Dublin City Zone, which provides a standard fare for journeys within 23km of Dublin city centre.
“The pricing of fares in the Dublin City Zone reflects the typical journey length in Zone 1 which tends to be of a much shorter distance and to permit the use of the Dublin city public transport system as an integrated network where a passenger can pay a flat fare enabling transfer between services within 90 minutes without additional charge,” a spokesperson for the NTA told the Irish Independent.
However, the authority said fares for intercity services, such as Athenry to Galway, are “based on the quality and frequency of service”.
The NTA has committed to delivering a fares strategy for the west, including the Athenry-Galway route, similar to the approach introduced in Dublin under the 2024 Fares Determination.