Commuters in Mallow and North Cork are able to avail of much cheaper rail and bus travel from this week, following the introduction of the Leap Card scheme for travel on Irish Rail, while Bus Éireann and Local Link fares have been reduced by 20%.
Chief Executive Officer of The National Transport Authority Ann Graham explained: “There’s par-ticularly good news for rail commuters, with Mallow being brought into the commuter rail fares area for the first time. This means that an adult can travel from Mallow to Cork city or any other station within the Cork commuter area for just €3.90 when paying with Leap.”
This national fare reduction is the first since 1947, seventy-five years ago.
TD Seán Sherlock, who has been campaigning for several years to have Mallow included in the Leap Card scheme, wel-comed the fact that local commuters can now avail of the same low-cost travel as city commuters. The deputy also welcomed Labour Party leader Ivan Bacik to Mallow Railway Station on Monday, where she predicted that the new fare structures will boost rail and bus travel, and will have wider benefits for the environment.
Minister Eamon Ryan said this week that, “this fare reduction will go some way to easing some of the financial strain that house-holds are experiencing.
“Choosing public transport over the private car, even for one trip a week, can begin to help us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. It will also help improve the air quality and cut down on congestion.”