A local TD has branded as “the great train robbery”, the price of train tickets from the new station in Oranmore, and warned that such prices could put people off using the service.
Galway West TD Brian Walsh warned that the new commuter service from Oranmore is “in danger of quickly becoming a ghost train” unless Irish Rail immediately reviews its fares.
Dep Walsh met a family on the train last weekend and was surprised at the cost of the five mile journey into Galway city. According to Dep Walsh, tickets for two parents and two teenagers cost €8.60 each, while a ticket for a child cost €4.30.
“The journey ended up costing the family €38.70, which is completely unfeasible when they could have driven and parked for €4 for the day,” he said.
The TD also understands there are proposals to charge for parking charges at the new station. “This will add further cost for commuters and make it impossible for anyone to justify using the service,” he said.
Dep Walsh said lowering the train prices instead would “offer commuters a viable alternative to using their cars”, encourage more people to travel by rail, and help reduce traffic congestion.
“The new train station has massive potential,” he said, “but if that potential is to be brought to fruition, Irish Rail have to take immediate and decisive steps to reducing the fares and bringing the cost of the journey to within what people will consider reasonable.”
