A proposed increase to the price to cross the East Link toll bridge in Dublin is "ridiculous" and "picking on motorists", a councillor has claimed.
Dublin City Councillors will consider the 50 cent hike at a meeting this evening.
If approved, the toll will increase from €1.40 to €1.90 next month - a 36% increase, and a €1.4 million
Those in favour of the increase say it could encourage more people to use alternative transport and reduce congestion in the city.
However, Councillor Nial Ring - former Lord Mayor of Dublin - believes the city council is looking for "easy targets”.
He told Newstalk Breakfast: “What easier target than the guy or girl trying to get to their work? [It’s] ‘hit the motorists’.
“It just seems to me we’re doing this all the time and not thinking of the bigger picture. Some people need to be in their cars.”
He argued that the measure will simply “clog up traffic” on other streets, as people will simply go another route instead to avoid the toll.
He said: “For the pittance that’s involved in overall terms… it doesn’t seem to be well-thought through.
"It’s shooting fish in a barrel… it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Tackling congestion
Janet Horner, Green Party Councillor for the North Inner City, is in favour of the change.
She explained: “Firstly, the toll was €1.75 up until 2017 and it was reduced to €1.40 at that point - this increase is mainly restoring it back to 2017 levels.
“One of the reasons I would support this is because it’s part of the move in the city overall to support those who are going about their business in the city by walking, cycling, taking public transport… and making it safe, comfortable and efficient for them to do that.”
She said this is among the measures needed to tackle congestion in the capital, by encouraging more people to leave their cars at home.
She suggested there are many people who would get the bus or train into the city if they could, but it's currently not comfortable or efficient to do so.
