Documents obtained under a Freedom of Information request by Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender have exposed unacceptable delays to the Dublin Commuter Zone fare determination project.
Cllr Pender, who is the party’s general election candidate for Kildare South, said:
“The Dublin Commuter Zone fare determination project is important for Kildare South as it will significantly reduce commuting costs, with a 45 per cent drop in fares for Newbridge and up to a 37 per cent drop for Kildare Town, making travel more affordable for residents.
“The documents I received highlight failures by Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority (NTA) to keep timelines for this project on track.
“It is clear from the information I obtained that delays to the Dublin Commuter Zone project were avoidable – plain and simple. What we’re seeing here is a combination of poor management, lack of accountability and vendors allowed to drag their feet without any consequence.
“What’s worse is that commuters have been left in the dark, with no clear communication on how these delays would impact them. This is simply not good enough.
“The FOI documents reveal that critical software updates from vendors were delayed, causing a chain reaction that derailed project timelines. These delays were compounded by the failure of Irish Rail and the NTA to act decisively or keep the public informed.
“The project’s critical milestones – including Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) and Leap Card integration – were pushed back, with internal communications between project teams muddled and insufficient. Now it appears that instead of being delivered in the third quarter of this year, as expected, the project will now stray into 2025.
“The analysis also highlights poor decision-making, with last-minute considerations to de-scoping the project. However, by the time Irish Rail proposed removing features like TVM sales of Leap products, the damage had already been done.
“Kildare South is once again being left behind. This constant disparity with Kildare North is infuriating and represents a slap in the face to the people of this constituency. Our community deserves the same level of advocacy and investment as any other.
“People who rely on these services cannot be treated with such disregard. The lack of clear communication, both internally and with the public, shows a complete lack of consideration for the impact these delays would have on commuters.
“But it’s not just mismanagement – it’s a failure of leadership. Irish Rail, the NTA and our national representatives must be held accountable for this mess.
“I am calling for proper oversight to ensure that this vital project is delivered for the people of Kildare South without further delay.”
October 15, 2024