Charleville passengers 'unfairly burdened' with more expensive rail ticket prices
Councillors heard there were a huge number of people driving 17kms from Charleville to Mallow to get the train there as it is so much cheaper.
The National Transport Authority has refused to extend the Cork Leap Card area to Charleville, meaning rail commuters in that town will continue spending far more on a 40-minute train ride to Cork City than those travelling two hours between Longford and Dublin.
The refusal has been criticised for keeping Charleville people at a major financial disadvantage, and for being “nonsensical” when it comes to keeping traffic off the N20.
Currently, the cheapest adult return ticket from Charleville to Cork costs €21.70, compared to just €8.80 from Mallow. This significant gap in pricing means Charleville commuters could save up to €64.50 each week if included in the commuter zone.
The Longford–Dublin return ticket is €19.98, and passengers travelling from Limerick to Cork pay the same amount.
“These discrepancies need to be addressed,” Fine Gael councillor Aileen Browne said.
Ms Browne recently took her nieces and nephew on a day trip to Fota Wildlife Park.
“The return fare from Charleville for two adults and three children was €75.80. Instead, we travelled from Mallow, where it was just €30.80,” she said.
Interim NTA chief executive Hugh Creegan wrote to the council saying he had no plans to include Charleville in the Cork Commuter Zone (Leap) system.
However, Mr Creegan said the NTA was examining "anomalies and inconsistencies" to provide a more equitable and transparent system based on travel distances.
He added it was the intention to introduce this in Cork, but was unable to give a timeline for its roll-out.
Fianna Fáil councillor Ian Doyle said the current ticket pricing for Charleville commuters “is nonsensical”. He said providing an incentive for people to use rail travel would go a long way to reducing the number of vehicles currently using the main Cork-Limerick road (N20).
Ms Browne said there were a huge number of people driving 17kms from Charleville to Mallow to get the train there as it is so much cheaper.
This is putting pressure on car parking spaces at Mallow train station and many adjoining roads are clogged with commuters coming from Charleville to get the cheaper fares there.
“Affordable rail fares would make it easier for people to leave the car at home, easing congestion, improving air quality, and making the town a safer and more pleasant place for everyone,” Ms Browne said.
