Irish Rail fares hike begins

Thousands of rail commuters are digging deeper into their pockets this morning with a range of fare increases coming into force.

Return journeys on some routes are rising by £1.50.

The increases will affect five-day and weekend return fares, student fares, family fares, day and month savers, City Gold, long distance commuter services and the Cork-Cobh route.

Irish Rail has said that it needs the extra money to fund the largest railway investment programme in the history of the State and is assuring there will be an improvement in services.

It has also claimed that many of the fares affected have not been increased in over 12 months.