M50 Toll Revenue Rises to €212 Million Amid Increased Traffic

The toll revenue for the M50, Ireland’s busiest road, experienced a significant rise in 2024, increasing by 12% to reach €212 million. This growth was largely attributed to inflation-linked toll increases and a surge in traffic volumes. According to the latest annual report from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the toll income, which includes €12.5 million in penalty income, surpassed the €190 million collected in 2023 by €22 million.

Toll Increases and Traffic Growth Drive Revenue

In 2024, the toll charges underwent their second inflation-linked adjustment, affecting various vehicle categories. For instance, vehicles without tags saw a €0.20 increase, bringing the charge to €3.70, while those with video accounts also experienced a similar rise to €3.10. Cars equipped with tags faced a toll increase to €2.50. The combined toll income for 2023 and 2024 rose by €39.4 million compared to the €172.4 million collected in 2022.

The M50 remains the most heavily trafficked road in Ireland, with nearly 150,000 vehicles traversing various sections daily. The TII report highlighted that last year, a total of 1.7 billion vehicle kilometers were traveled on the M50, representing a 2% increase compared to 2023. The Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) for the toll road rose to 158,733 trips, up from 156,028 in the previous year.

Dublin Tunnel Performance and Operational Costs

The performance of the Dublin Port Tunnel also showed positive trends in 2024. The AADT for the tunnel was recorded at 26,503, marking a 0.8% increase from 26,285 in 2023. Approximately 9.7 million passages were recorded, with 65% classified as tollable traffic. Toll revenue from the Dublin Tunnel reached approximately €32 million, reflecting an 18% increase from €27 million in 2023.

Operating costs for the M50 eFlow system, which encompasses toll collection, bad debt charges, and local authority rates, totaled €58 million last year. Overall, TII’s spending reached €1.76 billion, which included €1.54 billion allocated for the road network and €174 million for light rail and metro initiatives, along with administrative costs of €39.8 million.

In addition to road infrastructure, TII oversees the operation of the LUAS light rail system, which saw patronage increase to approximately 54 million passenger journeys in 2024, a 12% rise compared to the previous year. The report also noted that 76 individuals at TII earned over €100,000, and the remuneration for TII’s CEO, Peter Walsh, rose from €215,000 to €225,000.

As traffic volumes on the National Road Network continue to grow, TII officials, including Chairman Gareth Llewellyn and CEO Peter Walsh, anticipate sustained increases into 2025, highlighting the importance of infrastructure investment in accommodating rising demands.