Significant reductions in train fares for Drogheda and East Meath

New Dublin Commuter Zone to include Drogheda

Standard single adult rail fare from Drogheda to Dublin to drop from €11.95 to €6

It has been a long time coming but it was finally announced today by the National Transport Authority that the Dublin Commuter Zone has been extended to satellite commuter towns around the capital, including Drogheda.

The net effect of this change is that it will reduce rail fares for passengers travelling to and from Drogheda by up to 50%.

Not only does this make life easier for Drogheda commuters travelling to Dublin but of course workers commuting to Drogheda can avail of it also. This can have the effect of reducing road traffic into Drogheda and also be of assistance in attracting new businesses to the town. 

Local Fine Gael TD, Fergus said “The new Dublin Commuter Zone will see the introduction of more affordable rail fares for Drogheda and East Meath commuters, through a brand new distance based fare structure. 

“The NTA have confirmed travel from stations such as Drogheda will experience the largest reductions in fares and they have also stated that they intend to introduce Leap e-Purse for all rail stations within the ‘Dublin Commuter Zone’. 

“The new fares announced today are targeted for implementation by the end of Q3 of this year. 

O’Dowd added “This new fare structure will be introduced ahead of the DART expansion to Drogheda which is on track to commence in 2025. 

“Reducing train fares for commuters is crucial as it not only reduces traffic congestion but also contributes to environmental sustainability by lowering individual car emissions.”

Fine Gael Councillor and long-time Fairer Fares Campaigner, Sharon Tolan has also welcomed today’s announcement saying the new National Fares Determination will deliver huge reductions in the price of bus and train fares across the country for many commuters. 

“I am so delighted that I can now officially say we have delivered Fairer Fares for all!” she said. “We will no longer see commuters from Meath and Louth treated unfairly or subsidising cheap fares for others. 

“This has been a major issue for commuters in Meath and Louth and I have been highlighting the disparity and unfairness of this for a long time now.  After a prolonged engagement and sustained lobbying with the NTA, including many meetings at government level, they have now revised the zoning model and are making significant changes for the betterment of rail and bus users in these areas. 

“Fine Gael in government have helped me deliver this by keeping the pressure on the NTA and making the Fairer Fares issue party policy, and so ensuring we are putting money back in people’s pockets.

“This is huge news for current commuters, occasional day trippers, students and those who are still using their cars to get in and out of Dublin.  These changes will be implemented over a phased basis, as the necessary equipment is upgraded, and I expect them to be fully implemented by Q3 2024, September time.”

Labour Deputy Ged Nash said he was delighted to see the NTA publish the new Dublin Commuter Zone pricing structure today.  

“It’s about time fairer fares were introduced for rail commuters in our area and credit is due to Transport Minister and Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan, the NTA, Irish Rail and all the local public representatives who have been united in the view that our community is getting a raw deal on rail fares.  

“Drogheda, South Louth and East Meath-based train users were for too long treated as cash-cows paying unjustifiably high adult daily, monthly and annual rates to use trains on the busiest line in the country. 

“I have campaigned for fairer and more transparent fare structures for many years and I am pleased that we now have real and tangible progress that will see commuters availing of fairer fares from Drogheda and Laytown into Dublin.