Cheaper fares for rail users ‘if Leap card deadline is missed’

Rail commuters may have fares reduced on the Cork-Cobh and Cork-Midleton lines if Iarnród Éireann fails to introduce, by next month, new technology to accept Leap card transactions.

As part of a fare hike deal last October, the rail company was obliged to have the new technology in place by last Friday.

Last year, the National Transport Authority (NTA) gave approval for Iarnród Éireann to increase adult day return fares on the Midleton line from €7.90 to €8.70 and from €7.70 to €8.50 on the Cobh line. Approval was conditional on Leap cards being acceptable on both lines by August 1.