Luas parking increase at Balally criticised

A DECISION to increase parking charges at the Balally Luas park & ride by 25 per cent has been criticised.

The rate at Balally is now

?¬2.50 for four hours’ parking or

?¬5 for a full day. In comparison, the Carrickmines Luas parking charges are

?¬1 for four hours or

?¬2 per day.

Local Fine Gael councillor Neal Richmond described the price hike as

“a cynical move

? by the RPA (Railway Procurement Agency), aimed at encouraging people to use their other car park at Carrickmines.

“I have been contacted by a number of commuters this week who were shocked to see the parking rates increased by 25 per cent,

? Cllr Richmond said. “Balally car park is at capacity and the facility is extremely popular for many residents of Ballinteer and Ticknock who live too far away to walk to the Luas but who still want to use public transport to commute.

?

He added:

“The notion that these people should now be forced to drive out to Carrickmines to avail of affordable parking is a daft one. It is grossly unfair to punish the patrons of the facility in Balally for it being successful.

?

Cllr Richmond said his major concern is that people will vote with their feet and instead of parking in Balally or making a

“ludicrous

? commute back on themselves to Carrickmines, they will instead park in nearby housing estates.

“I am calling on the RPA to reverse this illogical and punitive increase,

? he continued.

“Perhaps rather than punishing existing users, they should seek to bring in the cheaper prices for parking in Carrickmines without increases in Balally.

?

However, Tom Manning, public relations manager for the RPA, pointed out that the parking tariff at Balally park & ride has not increased since it was opened in 2004.

“Demand for spaces at Balally exceeds capacity and taking into account the pricing at other local car parks we felt that an increase of 25 per cent still offers considerably better value than other local car parks,

? he said.