Government urged to halt 15% public transport fare increase

Opposition parties have criticised the planned increases, with some Dublin fares set to rise while children’s fares are expected to fall

Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman said it was clear that bus and rail passengers were “at the bottom of the list” in the Government's priorities. Picture: Larry Cummins

The Government has been called on to immediately halt an average 15% increase in bus and rail fares, which has been dubbed “anti-climate and anti-worker”.

Opposition parties have strongly criticised plans to increase public transport fares amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) is expected to announce fare changes that will result in increases of up to 30% for some tickets.

The €2 fare, which provides unlimited travel across eligible services in Dublin for 90 minutes, is due to increase to €2.30.

However, several fares for children and young adults are expected to decrease.

Hitting out at the move, Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman said it was clear that bus and rail passengers were “at the bottom of the list” in the Government's priorities.

“To raise public transport fares by 15% in the middle of a cost of living crisis is a slap in the face to everyone who uses the bus, train, Luas or DART. These commuters see the hundreds of millions that the Government has spent over the summer protecting some sectors from inflation costs, yet they are expected to pay out more, every day, every journey."

In the previous coalition, which the Green Party was a member of, a 20% public service obligation (PSO) fare reduction was rolled out.

Last year, 363.5 million journeys were taken on public transport services, up from 343.6 million in 2024 and 290 million in 2019.

Opposition criticism

Labour transport spokesperson Ciaran Ahern also condemned plans to raise public transport fares and called on the Government to stop the increases, which he said were far above the rate of inflation amid a cost-of-living crisis.

Mr Ahern said raising public transport fares at a time when the Government is spending €400 million to keep diesel below €2 per litre “beggars belief” and highlights just how anti-climate and anti-worker this Government is.

He said: “Last week Government spent a further €400m on excise cuts for drivers - yet it won’t act to stop fare increases on commuters.

“Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are doubling down on fossil fuels when they should be encouraging people to use public transport.

“It's anti-worker and it proves this Government’s failure to take any leadership on climate.”