€3 to €10.85 rail fare hike ‘makes no sense’ says Tipperary TD
‘Raising of rail ticket prices makes no sense’ - Alan Kelly TD
A proposed increase in rail fares on the Ballybrophy line has been criticised by Tipperary North TD Alan Kelly, who has called on the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann to reverse the decision.
The fare changes will see a single ticket rise from €3 to €10.85, while a day return will increase from €6 to €15.60.
Kelly said the increases risk undoing the progress made under a new fare structure that had encouraged more passengers from Nenagh, Birdhill, Roscrea and Cloughjordan to use the service to travel to Limerick, Dublin and other destinations.
“Unbelievably, the National Transport Authority have now decided to multiply these fares which were driving so many to use the line as a mode of transport,” the TD said.
“This is a total disincentive and makes no sense.”
The issue was raised at last week’s Oireachtas Transport Committee meeting, where Kelly questioned Irish Rail about the success of the new fare structure and the increased use of the line.
“The new fare structure was a good initiative. Commuters were coming back to use the service, so why get rid of them?” Kelly asked.
He also called for an improved timetable to make the service more practical for people travelling to work in Limerick and Dublin.
The campaign to protect and improve the line has been ongoing for decades, with Alan Kelly highlighting work alongside councillors Louise Morgan Walsh, Cathaoirleach Fiona Bonfield, former councillor Virginia O’Dowd and the North Tipperary Rail Partnership.
Kelly said he had repeatedly fought for the line’s future, adding: “Indeed, I had to intervene on more than one occasion to ensure it stayed open.”
Beyond the fare increases, he argued that the line needed significant investment to make it a more viable option for commuters and other passengers.
Among the priorities identified were the closure of level crossings with alternative arrangements put in place, improvements to the tracks and changes at Ballybrophy to allow direct trains to Dublin.
“North Tipperary residents are commuting daily to Dublin and Limerick for work, medical appointments and leisure, and we need an investment plan from this Government once and for all for the Ballybrophy line,” he said.
“We deserve better than this lack of investment.”
Alan Kelly is calling on the NTA and Irish Rail to review and reverse the fare decision, alongside a wider commitment to improving services and infrastructure on the line.