Pressure mounts over DART charges

PRESSURE is expected to intensify on Transport Minister Seamus Brennan to resist Iarnród Éireann plans to charge commuters for parking at selected DART stations.

Opposition parties yesterday rejected the rail company’s move as illogical and counterproductive. The company confirmed new charges could cost up to 50c an hour at three stations.

Iarnród Eireann last year shelved plans for parking charges at more than 30 stations. However, a spokesman said the company decided to press ahead with the charges at Booterstown, Clontarf Road and Malahide due to the high levels of non-commuters using the stations’ car parks.

The charges will be applied this summer, possibly as part of a pilot project. Fine Gael’s deputy leader, Richard Bruton said the plan made no sense and was counterproductive to efforts to reduce traffic congestion in Dublin.

The Labour Party demanded Mr Brennan should oppose the new parking levies. Last year, the minister criticised as anti-commuter Irish Rail proposals for passenger parking in Dublin stations. He warned the move would be a disincentive to people using public transport services.

However, Iarnród Éireann said yesterday it was forced into the decision as local authorities had introduced car park charges on-street in areas adjacent to its Booterstown, Clontarf Road and Malahide stations.

“As a result, we are introducing controls into these car parks to ensure facilities are available to commuters,” the spokesman said.

He dismissed suggestions the introduction of charges at the stations was part of a pilot scheme for wider charging at DART and commuter stations.

The company, said the spokesman, had examined the option of charging at stations across the board last year but decided against proceeding with the proposal. The spokesman added that rail commuters will have heavily discounted nominal charges for parking with higher rates applying for non-commuters.