Bettystown based Councillor Sharon Tolan has launched a campaign to secure a long overdue fare restructure for Northern Line passengers at Gormanston, Laytown and Drogheda.
Tolan has been calling for fare reductions for commuters for years but now she has begun a significant campaign during the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) public consultation on the review of the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042.
The Fine Gael Councillor says that the NTA must be left in no doubt that, to encourage more people to use public transport, they need to stop charging unaffordable prices.
“The fare difference between Balbriggan which is in the Short Hop Zone and Gormanston, Laytown and Drogheda which are a mere 4, 10 and 16 minutes respectively down the line is unfair and unaffordable” Councillor Tolan said.
“Northern Line customers are clearly subsidising the very attractive rates being charged to other commuters on the line and throughout Dublin and as far as Bray.
“All we are asking for is fairness and parity. It’s time to extend the Short Hop Zone to Drogheda, get traffic off our roads and make serious changes in relation to climate action.
“I’m asking the public to get behind my campaign, and make a submission to the NTA before the deadline of the 17th December. If the NTA don’t listen, then I will be asking the public to support a full boycott of the rail service until this unfairness is addressed once and for all, but I really hope it won’t come to that.” she said.
The NTA have held a number of Online Information Events since the second round of public consultation commenced last month. These public online information events are taking place via Zoom and the final event will be held on the 7th December. Registration for attendance at the information events, and all submissions can be made online at www.nationaltransport.ie
