Motorists will be left fuming at the news that five tolling companies have
not cut their prices in line with requirements to match falling prices,
Fine Gael Transport Spokesman Simon Coveney TD has warned.
“This will only reinforce the negative view of toll companies among
motorists. There is a clear obligation on toll companies under NRA by-laws
to cut toll rates after 12 straight months of deflation.
“Yet five companies have ignored this rule. According to reports, these
companies operate tolls on the M1, M4, M6, M8 and N25. Fleecing
hard-pressed motorists is reprehensible and cannot be tolerated.
“I welcome the NRA’s new tough line with tolling companies. However, the
NRA should have taken action long before this. Prices fell consistently
from 2008 onwards, so the NRA had plenty of time to force the hand of
tolling companies and protect the motorists they were set up to serve.
“Better late than never with the NRA. It stands in marked contrast to
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, who washed his hands of this issue last
year when he refused to take action on excessive tolls.
“The toll companies should now be punished for over-charging. The NRA
should seek to impose even greater price cuts than those required under the
law, in order to provide some compensation to ripped-off motorists.”
