Brendan Ryan, Director at Martin Ryan Haulage, has called for Government intervention ahead of January’s toll increases, warning that Irish hauliers cannot continue absorbing additional charges on essential freight journeys.

Ryan is urging the Minister for Transport to bring Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), toll concessionaires and haulage representatives together before the increases take effect on 1 January 2027.

“Enough is enough. Irish hauliers are not an unlimited source of revenue,” writing on LinkedIn.com, he said.

“Another year. Another toll increase. Another demand for transport operators to find money that is already committed to keeping trucks on the road.”

TII has confirmed that certain toll rates will rise from January following the application of a 3.6% Consumer Price Index adjustment. Heavier HGVs using the M50 face increases of either 20 cent or 30 cent per crossing, with increases also applying to HGV categories on the privately operated toll roads.

Small increases become significant fleet costs

Ryan said describing the increases as an inflation adjustment does not address the pressure facing transport businesses.

“Calling it an ‘inflation adjustment’ does not soften the blow. Hauliers face inflation too — on fuel, insurance, wages, tyres, maintenance and finance,” he said.

“An extra 20 or 30 cent per crossing sounds small until you multiply it across a fleet, repeated journeys and a full working year. The bill arrives whether the truck is loaded, returning empty or operating on a contract that leaves no room to recover it.”

He warned that operators have limited flexibility to avoid toll roads, particularly where journeys are governed by ferry departures, customer delivery slots and drivers’ hours.

“These are essential freight journeys. Ferry schedules, delivery appointments and drivers’ hours dictate when we move. ‘Take another route’ is no answer when it means more fuel, more time and more cost.”

For operators unable to recover the increases through their transport rates, Ryan said the additional expense comes directly from their margins.

“Every additional charge must come from somewhere: the operator’s margin or the customer’s pocket.”

Call for a freeze and freight relief

Ryan is calling for a freeze on HGV toll increases while meaningful relief is negotiated, alongside a commercial freight rebate or substantial frequent-user discount.

He also wants a published assessment of the total annual toll burden on haulage operators, together with clear explanations of which changes TII can make and which require Government action.

“If contracts stand in the way, publish the constraints and negotiate a solution. If Government policy must change, change it,” he said.

TII says toll charges are regulated through an inflation adjustment mechanism set out in the toll bye-laws. It says toll revenue supports road operation, maintenance and renewal, while revenue from privately operated schemes also contributes to repayment of construction loans.

Ryan is urging TDs across the country to seek answers before January, arguing that recognition of haulage as an essential industry must be matched by action on operating costs.

“Supporting Irish business means addressing the costs that threaten its viability. Hauliers cannot pay the bills with speeches about how essential we are,” he said.

“We keep Ireland moving. Stop making it more expensive to do the job.”