Minister 'not writing off' future bus and train fare hikes

Budget 2026 confirmed there would be no hikes in fares next year. Picture: Larry Cummins

A future hike to bus and train fares is not off the table, as transport minister Darragh O’Brien says there must be a "sustainable" funding model for public transport systems.

Mr O’Brien said the existing fare structures are set to remain in place, with Budget 2026 confirming there would be no hikes in cost next year.

However, asked directly if he would rule out a future fare increase, Mr O’Brien said: "I’m not writing anything off because what I want is to expand on the transport network."

Mr O'Brien said the Government has made "significant progress" in changing the public service obligation (PSO) public transport budget.

"I think for the last six years, the expansion of public transport services has been great, but we need the funding to back that up," Mr O’Brien said.

He said people have responded to the increased services across the country, adding any fare system must remain "affordable".

"What we’ve got to be as a State is prudent in how we manage the people’s resources. It’s exchequer money, it’s their taxes. I’ve also got to be honest with people as we expand our public transport offering going forward. We’ve got to make sure its on a sustainable footing."

The transport minister said in recent years, significant funds for the PSO have come through supplementary budgets.

However, Mr O’Brien said this has been changed and the PSO would be at a "higher foundation".

In the budget, Mr O’Brien retained the existing lower fares, alongside the 50% off young adult cards and free public transport for children up to the age of 9.

On Metrolink, Mr O’Brien said there had not been any judicial review taken against the project, after planning permission was formally granted for the north Dublin metro last week.

Transport minister Darragh O'Brien said the Government has made 'significant progress' in changing the public service obligation public transport budget.

He said he hopes there would not be an effort to challenge the metro so the project would be able to get off the ground quicker.

Meanwhile, Mr O’Brien said he expects a new air route between Dublin and Derry to begin in 2026, saying it was a PSO commitment through the Government’s Shared Island initiative.

Mr O’Brien, who is also responsible for climate action, also said he does not believe the Government will meet its 2030 target to have almost 1m electric vehicles (EVs) on the road.

"That doesn’t mean that we give up on it. Not at all, we’re actually doing pretty well. I don’t believe we’ll hit 969,000. I believe we’re projecting somewhere around 700,000 at the moment."

He added if there were measures to accelerate the adoption of EVs, the Government would.

In total, Mr O’Brien received €4.74bn for his Department of Transport budget, while he received €1.09bn for the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.