Senator Mary Moran
The National Roads Authority should reduce the €10 peak-hours toll faced by commuters using the Dublin Port Tunnel for the duration of the rail strike, according to Labour Senator, Mary Moran.
Up to 100,000 commuters, many of them from Louth, were left facing disruptions earlier this week as a result of the strike by rail workers on Sunday and Monday. Further protests are planned for next month, leaving rail users looking for alternative travel arrangements once again.
Commenting on the matter, Senator Moran said: “The disruption to Inter-City, Commuter and Dart services in particular means that people in Louth and north Dublin suburbs who normally use rail services are now being forced to commute by car and use the Port Tunnel.
“Due to the €10 toll that applies to the tunnel between 6am and 10am, and again between 4pm and 7pm, it means commuters could fork out €40 altogether between the two days – and even more again if the strike resumes in September.
“It is unfair that motorists are being financially penalised for a strike that isn’t of their own making. Therefore I am calling on the NRA to reduce the peak-hours toll to €3 – which is the usual off-peak fee – in what would be a welcome gesture that would ease pressure on strike-hit motorists.
“In the meantime, I hope that all sides involved in this dispute will resolve this matter soon, so that we can draw this difficult episode to a close.”
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