Off-peak tunnel prices?

silverharp

Just curious what people think or the logic of the off peak prices. Had a day off today so took the family for a day out. Ended up driving through town to go Northside. firstly my mistake didnt check the time of the various rates so at the back of my head thought it might be 12€. So Eastlink plus tunnel we are talking €8. Now from my point of view 8€ or 16€ return seems alot to save maybe 15/20min eachway when time isnt the main concern.
Is the tunnel near capacity off peak or should they be aiming for a lower price point to divert more traffic from the city?

Bluetonic

silverharp wrote: »

Is the tunnel near capacity off peak or should they be aiming for a lower price point to divert more traffic from the city?

As it's primarily for HGVs and not to serve the purpose of diverting non HGV traffic away from the city center then I think the price points are fine the way they are.

Its meant to be only for HGV's. the price is prohibitly expensive for cars for a reason, if the tunnel is empty (ish) most of the time, then HGV drivers are far far more likely to use it for every journey that they can.

Bluetonic

Deleted User wrote: »

Its meant to be only for HGV's.

I'm sure you didn't mean to say that. It's clearly also for other vehicles too otherwise there would be an out and out ban.

silverharp

i get that , but now that its there, is the "asset" being under used? also I'd assume movemnts must be down more then 10% this year. Is there anyway to see monthly movements either though the port or tunnel?

Carawaystick

It's 3 euros most of the time for cars and motorbikes.
It's free for busses over a certain size and hgv's, there's been many more busses using it since the rail line fell into the sea.

cargo

I think the next logical step for the PT would be to allow all commercial traffic through at reduced rates or free like HGV commercial traffic. i.e. any vans registered as commercial and paying the commercial toll rates. this would give it a fair jump in usage while still keeping traffic to a manageable level in there.

Bluetonic

cargo wrote: »

I think the next logical step for the PT would be to allow all commercial traffic through at reduced rates or free like HGV commercial traffic. i.e. any vans registered as commercial and paying the commercial toll rates. this would give it a fair jump in usage while still keeping traffic to a manageable level in there.

Open to far too much abuse.

cargo

Yeah I reckon it'd be a "popular" move all right but if vans are going to be paying commercial rates at other toll booths why not give them back some benifit of the higher toll rates?

DWCommuter

The PT is like the X-Files.....a ****ing mystery.

Cookie_Monster

I think €3 is cheap for the ease of using the tunnel rather than all the junctions and lights.

Downside for me is the fact that you basically have to pay 2 tolls (another at the Eastlink) for it to be truly worthwhile and another 1.90 is just a bit much.