Dublin’s busiest road, the M50, saw its toll revenue soar to a whopping €190 million in 2023, thanks to increased toll charges and higher traffic volumes. This 11% jump from 2022 comes despite a six-month delay in implementing the price hike due to cost of living concerns.
Key points:
- Traffic on the M50 grew by 5%, with 57 million vehicle passages recorded.
- New toll rates kicked in from July 1, 2023, with cars without tags now paying €3.50.
- The compliance rate for toll payments remained high at 97.17%.
- The Dublin Port Tunnel also saw a 21% increase in toll income, reaching €27 million.
While the extra cash is good news for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), which manages the roads, it highlights growing concerns about congestion. The M50 saw a rise in traffic collisions from 698 to 737 last year.
TII says the money collected from tolls helps maintain the national road network, reducing the burden on taxpayers. However, with another toll increase implemented in January 2024, drivers can expect to dig deeper into their pockets when using these busy routes.
As Dublin continues to grow, balancing the need for road maintenance with the impact on commuters’ wallets remains a challenge for city planners and government officials.