Kildare councillor criticises delay in National Fares Strategy

Social Democrats councillor for Newbridge, Chris Pender has expressed his disappointment in delays in the rollout of Phase 2 of the National Fares Strategy.

The implementation, which impacts services including Bus Éireann, Irish Rail and Luas, has been deferred to the end of April 2025 due to complexities in system upgrades necessary for the fare changes.

Cllr Pender told Kildare Now this week: "The continual setbacks in implementing the new fare structure are not just administrative delays but real setbacks for daily commuters in Kildare.

"Each delay in the fare reduction strategy impacts our community's access to affordable and efficient public transport, affecting people's daily lives and budgeting."

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has cited extensive updates to the ticketing systems, including the installation of new Leap Card validators and upgrading of ticket machines as reasons for the delay.

Despite assurances from Irish Rail, the required updates to their systems have proven more challenging than anticipated, leading to the postponement.

Cllr Pender added: "I have been assured repeatedly that progress was on track, and it is frustrating to see these promises not being fulfilled.

"It is essential that Irish Rail and the NTA communicate transparently about these issues and work diligently to minimize further disruptions.”

Cllr Pender said that as a local councillor, he is committed to ensuring the issue remains a priority for the NTA and that “all efforts” are made to expedite the process.

He said: "I will continue to press the NTA and Irish Rail for solutions that will prevent future delays and ensure that our public transport system meets the needs of Kildare's residents."

The Social Democrats councillor also voiced concern on the timing of the communication of the delay, which was communicated just days following the general election.

He said: “It is profoundly troubling and suspiciously convenient that this delay has been communicated just days after the general election.

"I can't help but feel that the timing of this announcement was strategically delayed to avoid influencing the electoral outcomes.

“This is not just a mere oversight; it's a matter of integrity and transparency in public service. The residents of Kildare deserve better."

He concluded: “I urge all affected residents to stay informed and to reach out to my office with any concerns or questions. Rest assured, I will keep you updated every step of the way as we work towards a resolution.”