Cork councillors call for 'fairer treatment' for Charleville rail commuters amid fare price anomaly

Councillors told the cheapest adult return ticket from Charleville to Cork was €21.70, but passengers travelling from Longford to Dublin pay just €19.98 return

Councillors representing the North Cork region are to write to Irish rail and the NTA, demanding Charleville is included in the Cork Commuter Rail Fares Area, which would substantially reduce what commuters pay. Picture: Larry Cummins

The National Transport Authority and Irish Rail are being urged to address a serious anomaly whereby a 40-minute train ride from Charleville to Cork is costing far more than a two-hour commute between Longford and Dublin.

Councillors representing the North Cork region are to write to both, demanding Charleville is included in the Cork Commuter Rail Fares Area, which would substantially reduce what commuters pay.

The issue was highlighted by Fine Gael councillor Aileen Browne, who priced all the cheapest fares available on a Monday.

She said the cheapest adult return ticket from Charleville to Cork was €21.70, but passengers travelling from Longford to Dublin pay just €19.98 return.

Meanwhile, nearby Mallow is in the Cork commuter area and a return fare from there to Cork is just €8.80.

She said it was “even more perplexing” that passengers travelling from Limerick City to Cork City, a far longer journey, pay a €19.98 return fare, which is lower than the cost for Charleville commuters who are travelling on the same service over a shorter distance.

“Many Charleville residents are already opting to drive to Mallow daily in order to take advantage of the more affordable train fares. By including Charleville in the commuter zone, passengers could save up to €64.50 each week, which is a substantial amount that would make a real difference for regular commuters,” Ms Browne said.

She raised her concerns at a meeting of the Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District Council.

“This move would address the current disparity in ticket prices between Charleville and other locations, providing much-needed financial relief for local commuters,” she said.

Ms Browne said this issue needed urgent attention, particularly as commuters were being encouraged to reduce car usage and rely more on public transport.

“Offering Charleville passengers a Cork commuter fare would be a step in the right direction, helping to make public transport more accessible and affordable,” she said.

“These inconsistencies in pricing highlights the need for fairer treatment of Charleville commuters. They are unfairly burdened with higher costs, and it's time they are treated more equitably. 

"Ensuring fair pricing across the board will encourage more people to use public transport, which is essential for both reducing traffic congestion and supporting environmental sustainability,” Ms Browne said.

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She said she hoped the NTA and Irish Rail would take this issue seriously and take steps to correct these pricing disparities for the benefit of all passengers.

She received unanimous cross-party support seeking the fares reduction, and the chairman of the municipal district council, Fianna Fáil councillor Pat Hayes, said officials would write to the two bodies demanding change.