Kerry Motorway Tolls Increase Criticised by TD
- A Kerry-based Minister of State is urging a postponement of planned toll increases set to impact several key Irish motorways.
- The toll hikes will affect the Dublin Port Tunnel,the M50 motorway,and select national roads.
- The Minister of State expressed concerns that the increases represent an unfair burden on both private motorists and the haulage industry, which is already facing important economic pressures.
Calls to Delay Irish Motorway Toll Increases Amid Cost of Living concerns
A Kerry-based Minister of State is urging a postponement of planned toll increases set to impact several key Irish motorways. The proposed increases, announced by Transport Infrastructure Ireland on October 31, 2024, are scheduled to take affect on January 1st.
Impacted Routes and Vehicle Classes
The toll hikes will affect the Dublin Port Tunnel,the M50 motorway,and select national roads. Though, motorists using the M7, M8, and N18 Limerick Tunnel will not see any change in charges for cars and motorcycles. A 10-cent increase will be applied to tolls for buses, coaches, and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) utilizing these routes.
Concerns Over Fairness and Value
The Minister of State expressed concerns that the increases represent an unfair burden on both private motorists and the haulage industry, which is already facing important economic pressures. He is advocating for a pause on the implementation of the new tolls and a complete review of the entire toll system to assess whether it is providing adequate value for money.
The Minister intends to raise this issue directly with government colleagues, seeking a re-evaluation of the planned changes. This move highlights the ongoing debate surrounding infrastructure funding and the balance between revenue generation and affordability for road users in Ireland.