MOTORISTS REACT ANGRILY TO NEWS OF TOLL PRICE INCREASE
Toll fares on the M8 Fermoy bypass could rise by up to 20 cent as of January 1st next. The increase in toll fares will be generalized throughout the country and a direct follow-on to the recent budget.
The initial price rise will come into effect as of December 1st due to the budget increases in VAT, while the second increase will be effective on January 1st in line with the annual rise in the Consumer Price Index.
It therefore seems likely that motorists using the Fermoy bypass, will have to pay €2 as opposed to the current fee of €1.80 per car. No doubt for many motorists who make the Cork trip four to five times a week, time is essential.
“You can’t buy time. I’ve been driving to Cork for ten years. People forget what a huge traffic mess Fermoy was before the bypass. Previously it used to take me three hours in the car each day. Now it is down to an hour and three quarters,” says Michelle from Mitchelstown.
Caroline, also from Mitchelstown, finds the new increases ‘unacceptable’.
“In all honesty the Government is already getting enough”, she told The Avondhu.
Kevin lives in Mitchelstown, but works as an accountant in Cork. He says that this new development, “just beggars belief. It’s another kick in the teeth by the Government”, he said this week. At the moment Kevin only uses the bypass on the way back from work, which cuts the expense from around €800 to roughly €400 per year.
“I personally can absorb the 20c increase, but I know a lot of people who can’t,” he points out. His feeling is endorsed by a Fermoy resident, who also drives to Cork five days a week, and who recently decided to forego the bypass altogether, although she hadn’t yet learned about the new increase.
“It would affect me. I looked at what I was spending, almost €20 a week and I stopped using the toll. For me it is only a matter of 10 minutes difference at the end of the day. My turn off is at Watergrasshill, so I don’t feel I am losing out by not using the toll anymore. Every penny counts,” she concluded.
Change seems to be in the air. Could we be adopting an entire change of attitude towards money? 20c may not seem much, but when it comes down to tightening the belt, it could make the difference.
Published:
Thursday 23rd October 7:41pm
