Iarnród Éireann will implement new rail fare and zonal changes starting Monday, introducing major updates for commuters, especially those in the northeast region, reports RTE.
The company stated that these changes are being made in accordance with the National Transport Authority’s most recent “fares determination”.
The update will bring about notable shifts, especially within the greater Dublin region, and for commuters using Leap Cards to tag on and off, reports RTE.
A revised zonal system under Transport for Ireland will come into effect.
The Dublin Commuter Zone (DCZ) will replace the existing Short Hop Zone (SHZ) and will cover a much larger area than the SHZ.
The new DCZ will be divided into Dublin City Zone 1, along with Zones 2, 3, and 4, determined by distance from the city centre, reports RTE.
In addition to fare changes, the new zones mean Leap Card usage will be valid across a broader area.
Northern Commuter: The DCZ will now extend beyond the old SHZ boundary at Balbriggan to include Gormanston, Laytown, and Drogheda.
Western Commuter: The DCZ will expand past Kilcock to also include Enfield, reports RTE.
South Western Commuter: The previous SHZ endpoint at Sallins & Naas will now stretch to include Newbridge and Kildare.
South Eastern Commuter: The DCZ will grow beyond Kilcoole to cover Wicklow and Rathdrum.
Iarnród Éireann also confirmed that fare changes for several journeys will take effect on Monday, reports RTE.
These changes will apply to adult, student/young adult, and child fare categories.
For journeys starting or ending in Dublin Commuter Zones 3 and 4, single fares (Leap and cash) and day return fares (cash only) will decrease, along with monthly and annual ticket prices for these zones at their next renewal, reports RTE.
Fares will be reduced for routes to and from Drogheda, Laytown, Enfield, Newbridge, Kildare, Wicklow, and Rathdrum.
Journeys that start or end in Dublin Commuter Zone 2 will see either fare increases or decreases in single and day return tickets, along with changes to monthly and annual fares upon renewal.
There will be increases on certain routes between Dublin and Balbriggan, Skerries, Kilcock, Sallins & Naas, Greystones, Kilcoole, and some other stops in between, reports RTE.
Conversely, journeys between Dublin and Gormanston will see fare reductions.
For all trips entirely within Dublin City Zone 1, single and return fares (Leap and cash) will remain the same, and so will monthly and annual passes, reports RTE.
The daily and weekly Leap fare cap will still apply exclusively within the Dublin City Zone.
Iarnród Éireann noted that full information on these updates is available on its website, reports RTE.
The operator also pointed out that due to the expansion of the Dublin Commuter Zone, the highest Leap Card fare upon tagging on will increase for all passengers.
The adult Leap maximum tag-on rate will go from €4 to €7.50.
The student/young adult rate will rise from €2 to €3.75, reports RTE.
The child fare will increase from 65c to €3.75.
These adjustments also affect Leap Card users in both Dublin and Cork. Although fares in the Cork area remain unchanged, the maximum tag-on rate will increase.
Passengers are reminded to always tag off at the end of their trip to ensure they are billed the correct fare, reports RTE.
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