Coastal commuters left stranded due to Leap card machines not working as fare reductions come into play

A major reduction in bus and train fares for Meath commuters came into play this morning but not without its teething problems as some commuters were left stranded due to leap card machines not working in Laytown or Gormonston stations

Transport for Ireland announced last year that the Leap Card area would be expanded to span a 50km radius starting today from Dublin city centre to include towns such as Navan, Trim, Enfield, Laytown, Ashbourne and Drogheda .

However not all went according to plan in Laytown and Gormonston with the Leap card machines not working. Local Fine Gael Cllr said she was "fuming." Taking to social media she said:

"Very disappointing, and frustrating that the Leap machines were not working this morning at Laytown or Gormanston. I am fuming, and I will be raising it at the highest level.

"I took to the phone and Twitter this morning from 7.05am to report the issue and try to get it resolved!"

The issue appears to have been short lived with Tolan confirming this afternoon that is has now resolved.

The leap card area for train tickets has been extended to cover a 50km radius around Dublin from today including the Drogheda route.

The newly-created Dublin Commuter Zone now encompasses the likes of Drogheda, Co Louth, Enfield, Co Meath, Kildare Town and Rathdrum, Co Wicklow.

Until now, Dublin passengers with short train journeys have been able to pay using their Leap Card but those from towns further away in the commuter belt have needed to purchase a ticket.

For example, a single cash fare for an adult travelling from Drogheda to Connolly Station in Dublin previously cost €11.95.

Now, the cost of that journey has almost halved to €6, provided the person is using a Leap Card to pay their fare.

Passengers travelling between Enfield and Connolly Station will also benefit from the same fare reduction.

Bus users in Ashbourne and Ratoath will now be included in the Dublin City Zone with fares to the city centre reducing from €3.40 to just €2.40 on Leap.

As part of the Dublin Commuter Zone, bus users in Dunshaughlin will see a reduction in their ticket price to the city centre from €4.06 to €3.70, and in Trim the fare will be reduced massively from €7.35 to just €5.30, a 28 per cent saving.

Passengers who do not have a Leap Card and prefer to pay for their fare in cash via a ticket machine or online will also benefit from the fare reductions but to a lesser extent.

However, the fares for certain journeys will increase.

An adult travelling from Skerries or Balbriggan to Connolly Station using a Leap Card used to pay €3 but will now pay €3.90.

The cash fare for this journey was €3.90 but has now increased to €5.10 - an increase of over 30%.