Over 5m passenger journeys to Drogheda

New figures from Iarnród Éireann have revealed that a total of 5.3 million passenger journeys were recorded on the Drogheda to Dublin rail line in 2017.

This represents an increase of 4.5% on 2016. Economic improvements, greater numbers of people in employment, and increased road congestion have all contributed to the major increase in passenger numbers.

Nationally, passenger numbers grew to 45.5million passenger journeys, equalling 2007, which was the highest number of passenger journeys ever recorded. Commenting on the figures, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, David Franks said: ‘As an organisation it is great to see our passenger numbers returning to peak levels. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and we are working hard to ensure that we can provide an even better service throughout 2018.’

The Taxsaver scheme run by Iarnród Éireann continues to grow, with more and more employers opting to join the scheme, which offers savings of up to 52% of travel costs through tax and PRSI and universal social charge savings for employees. Employers can save up to 10.75% on PRSI. Many Commuters on the Drogheda line are availing of this scheme through their employer.

Iarnród Éireann is working closely with the NTA to input to the Government review of the Capital Investment Programme.