Louth students ‘leap’ at rail fare reductions from Drogheda

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Students and children using Leap cards on trains out of Drogheda will see a dramatic reduction in their fares after an anomaly in new fare structures was finally addressed, according to Louth Labour TD, Ged Nash.

Deputy Nash had been leading the campaign for Drogheda to be part of the Dublin Commuter Zone, which came into effect earlier in the year.

Deputy Nash explained: “Most local commuters saw a reduction in their fares but there were some anomalies that saw some commuters pay more. For the last number of months, I have been highlighting those anomalies and pressing the NTA and Irish Rail to have them addressed.”

He added: “The worst affected cohort of commuters were students and children using leap cards on rail travel to and from Drogheda who, in some cases, saw more than an 80% increase in their fares.

“A number of families contacted my office to complain at the time and I pushed the NTA for a solution, which is finally being put in place, this week, where most of that increase will be clawed back by young commuters.”

NTA wrote to Deputy Nash over the weekend and said: “By way of update and following representations received from public representatives following the introduction of the new fares structure in April of this year, the National Transport Authority (NTA) wishes to announce the introduction of new Child Leap Card products that addresses concerns that have been raised by you and members of the public.

“From Monday, September 1, revised Child Leap Card products will be introduced across the Dublin Commuter Leap fare Zone, providing better discounts on fares for those under 18.

“These new discounted child fares follow a fare determination made in July, building on the earlier fare structure changes implemented in April and June which defined four new Leap fare zones in Dublin and surrounding commuter areas.

“The new product can be availed of via the Leap top-up app or at leapcard.ie.”

Deputy Nash explained the changes, saying: “The new fares will be available on all daily, weekly and monthly child Leap products.

“Adults should see a further reduction in their fares while children and students will be the major beneficiaries of the changes.

“Children travelling by train to and from Drogheda or Laytown to Balbriggan or other destinations in zone 2 or zone 1 will benefit from these changes. For example, the seven-day child weekly Dublin Commuter Bus and Rail Zone 3 to Dublin city product can be purchased for €13.00. This is 33% decrease on the previous fare announced in April of this year when it was €19.50.”

Deputy Nash said: “While the new discounts will not claw back the full increase this cohort of commuters saw at the start of the summer, it will go a long way to addressing a clear injustice in the new fares and I welcome the NTA’s and Irish Rail’s movement on this issue.

“Families I have contacted over the weekend, to inform them of the change, have reacted positively to the news.”