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Saturday 1 April 2023 Dublin: 10°C

# Transport

This week
26th March 2023 - 1st April 2023
# Major strike
Germany braces for serious disruptions as transport staff set to stage 'mega-strike'
Workers at airports, ports, railways, buses and metro lines throughout much of Germany are expected to join the 24-hour walkout.
This year
2023
# Disruption
Dublin Airport chief calls for 'draconian' prison sentences for flying drones over airfields
The current maximum sentence in Ireland is seven years, but it’s a life sentence in the UK.
# buzzing
Electric vehicle charging points to be rolled out at sport, retail and tourism hotspots
The government also plans to make a fast charger available every 60km on motorways under a new strategy.
# Transport
Used car prices jump by almost 70% - due to pandemic, Brexit and Ukraine - report says
In particular, used cars in the lower end of the market are becoming less affordable despite being lower in safety standards and higher in emissions.
# electric vehicles
High-powered EV chargers to be installed every 60km along all main roads under new Govt plan
€100 million fund to provide chargers along the main road network.
# Transport
Sale of new electric vehicles jumped 81% in 2022
15,262 new electric cars were licenced in 2022 compared to 8,554 in 2021.
Last year
2022
# climate action plan
Congestions charges can't be ruled out as Taoiseach says Govt won't curtail car ownership
Minister Eamon Ryan says he’s confident the civil service will lead by example when it comes to reducing car park spaces.
# heavy toll
Deferring toll price hikes by six months will first need agreement by all 8 operators, says TII
TII says agreement on deferral unlikely to happen until their boards meet in mid-December.
Tolls were set to rise from 1 January 1 to their maximum rate due to an increase in inflation
The announcement provoked anger as citizens grapple with the surging cost of living this winter
# Courts
Fines totaling €164,000 handed to 13 motorists who didn't pay M50 tolls
A fine of €25,000 was given to a commercial vehicle owner who had 216 unpaid journeys.
# ghost buses
Dublin Bus apologises for 'real-time' issues as staffing crisis could delay BusConnects roll-out
Dublin Bus has 150 vacancies to fill, while Go-Ahead has 45 roles.
# Active travel
Government announces new pilot scheme for zebra crossings without flashing orange beacons
The new scheme will see the beacons replaced with reflective signs.
# sustainability
Councils asked to develop transport projects to help meet climate goals
A programme supporting local projects to help meet the transport sector’s climate goals is set to launch next week
# Transport
Ireland's 'car-dependent' transport system needs to change, says OECD
Improvements in fuel efficiency and electric vehicle use won’t be enough to bridge the gap for 2030 emissions.
# Cost of Living
Fares on Nitelink bus services in Dublin to be reduced from tonight
Leap fares are being reduced by 33% while cash fares are being reduced by 43%.
# Your Say
Poll: How often do you use taxis?
Taxi fares are 12% more expensive from today onwards.
# New Rules
'Taxis had no input in this': Taxi fares now 12% more expensive and all drivers must accept card
The standard initial charge has increased to €4.20.
# Transport
Eurotunnel passengers forced to leave train beneath English Channel
Videos on social media showed holidaymakers walking through the alternate tunnel alongside the 50 kilometre rail route between Britain and France.
# Insurance
Govt liaising with insurance companies on cover for high-powered e-bikes
Insurance Ireland says it is unaware, at present, of any motor insurance products in Ireland designed for e-bikes.
# Transport
The Glider: Could Belfast's tram-like bendy bus be the model for other Irish cities?
The system has been suggested as a kind of gateway to light rail infrastructure.
# Dublin
DART services between Connolly Station and Grand Canal Dock closed for weekend
Iarnród Éireann has apologised for any inconvenience caused and has advised customers to check times before travel.
# Public Transport
Pledge that new nightclub closing times will mean expanded late-night public transport
Justice Minister Helen McEntee says a taskforce is examining the expansion of late-night public transport for when nightclubs get the green light to stay open later.
# Public Transport
The Gluas: Could a ‘very light' rail system end Galway's gridlock and become the city's Luas?
A feasibility study is set to be carried out but campaigners fear it will take a “Dublin-style” approach.
# Transport
'Ridiculously low': Just 33 public EV charge points in 3 counties approved under govt scheme
The scheme was first announced in 2019.
Eamon Ryan says 'we have to do more' as greenhouse gas emissions top pre-pandemic levels
New grant for people without driveways to access electric vehicle charging
# Transport
Increase in taxi fares during peak weekend hours expected to entice drivers back into night work
Taxi fares are set to rise by 12% on average from 1 September.
# Flying
Aer Lingus says it 'can't guarantee' no flights will be cancelled over bank holiday weekend
Delays with processing luggage has meant some passengers have needed to leave the airport without their bags.
The airline said most cancellations were due to flight caps in other airports
Aer Lingus, DAA and two third-party baggage handlers appeared before the Oireachtas Transport Committee today
One baggage handler currently has nearly 3,000 lost bags to process
Michael O'Leary hits out at 'unprecedented handling delays' amid Ryanair summer recovery
Dublin Airport says its plan to handle the summer surge is working
# Your Say
Poll: Would you take public transport more if it was free?
Transport fares were cut earlier this year.
# Public Transport
National Transport Authority launches plans to greatly improve Cork's public transport system
BusConnects Cork is hoping to increase fourfold the number of people who use public transport.
# on board
Public transport fares around Dublin to drop 20% from Monday
The 90-minute fare will be reduced to €2 for adults and 65 cent for children.
# tap tap tap
Contactless and smartphone payments on Dublin Bus may be possible 'late next year'
Dublin Bus CEO Ray Coyne also said that any decision to go fully cashless would be taken by government.
# Dublin Airport
Government to hold crisis meetings daily to address Dublin Airport security delays
Some passengers experienced lengthy security delays recently at the airport.
# road and greenway
N20 Cork-Limerick road seen as important step in linking two of Ireland’s biggest city regions
The 80 kilometre new dual carriageway will stretch between Cork City and Limerick.
# Road Rage
'No appointment til August': Wait time for NCT is now stretching into the summer
The service has said Covid-19 causing significant staff absenteeism levels at test centres.
In January and February alone this year there were 36,000 test appointment cancellations.
Speaking to The Journal, Labour TD Duncan Smith described the delays as "unacceptable".
# Cost of Living
NTA may recommend an increase in taxi fares in response to rising fuel costs
Industry representatives have said demand has not returned to pre-pandemic levels and rising fuel costs are adding pressure on drivers.
# Transport
Application lodged for judicial review into contentious Galway Ring Road plan
The plan aims to reduce traffic congestion but critics say it would hurt Ireland’s climate objectives and fail to solve the problem.
# Active travel
€289 million allocated to walking, cycling, and Safe Routes to School for 2022
The funding is split between constructing new facilities, upgrading old ones, and programmes like Smarter Travel and Green Schools.
All time
# warning
Wexford motorists urged to 'stay off' roads until tomorrow after rain brings widespread flooding
A Status Yellow rain warning was issued for the county this evening.
# Budget
€1.8 million in mental health funding allocated to low-emission vehicles for HSE community services
€7 million of a one-off €10 million fund has been earmarked for improving the experiences of people using mental health services.
# ring road
Decision to approve controversial Galway City Ring Road 'bizarre', Green Party senator says
An Bord Pleanála has approved plans for the 18km ring road around the north of Galway city.
Chronic traffic congestion in Galway has been an issue for years.
For more than two decades, a bypass around the city centre has been a large part of the discussion around solutions.
An Bórd Pleanála last night approved plans for a Galway City Ring Road route around the north of the city.
# Travel
Storm Barra: How transport has been impacted today across the country
Counties in Ireland are currently under either Status Red, Orange or Yellow weather warnings.
# Leap Card
Some increases to Dublin transport fares but €2.30 cap for travel within 90 minutes
From 28 November, the price of some Leap Card and cash payments will change.