Carlow motorists facing overnight toll charge increase... with more hikes 'highly likely'

Carlow commuters are set to face increased on a number of major roads in neighbouring counties from tomorrow, July 1. 

Tolls on eight major roads and the M50 are to increase overnight with higher rates in effect from Saturday, July 1 as a six-month deferral of the charges comes to an end.

The increases were originally due to take effect from January 1 last but were put off because of disagreements in government over the cost-of-living crisis.

Tolls on the M50 will now rise on Saturday by 30c for cars without tags or video accounts, bringing the price per journey to €3.50.

Motorists with tags or video accounts will be charged 20c more, bringing the price to €2.30 for tag accounts and €2.90 for video account holder.

Other categories of vehicles will pay increases of between 20c and 50c.

Tolls on the M1, M7, M8, N6, N25 Waterford by-pass and N18 Limerick Tunnel will rise by 10c for cars and between 30c and 50c for larger vehicles.

And there could be higher charges on the way after the Oireachtas transport committee was told this week by TII chief Peter Walsh that it is "highly likely" that the rates will go up again in January.

While the toll rates payable in 2024 will not be known until mid-September, he said, any increase in the 12-month consumer price index to August of more than 3% will guarantee the January toll increases will go ahead.