Public transport fare hikes 'make no sense', Dáil told

Updated / Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 11:03

Getty

The Social Democrats has introduced a motion to the Dáil calling on the Government to reverse public transport fare increases planned for the start of the year.

Adult fares for public transport will increase by an average of 15% from January 2027 under new fare structures announced by the National Transport Authority.

In Dublin, a 90-minute Leap Card journey will increase from €2 to €2.30.

Town fares will increase by 10% for adults with Leap Cards to €1.65.

Intercity rail express fares will increase by 10% and economy fares by up to 20%.

Social Democrats Spokesperson on Transport Aidan Farrelly told the chamber that the number of people using public transport will fall due to the planned fare increases.

"Simply put, the decision to increase public transport fares makes no sense. It makes no political sense. It makes no policy sense.

"From a cost-of-living perspective, from a climate action perspective, the impact of congestion on our mental and physical health perspective, Minister, it fails all the checks.

"So why on earth would you pursue it?"

Mr Farrelly said the fare increases are coming at a time of severe overcrowding and reliability problems on some public transport routes.

"Therefore, passengers will be paying more for inadequate and unreliable services," he added.

He asked Minister of State for Road Transport State Seán Canney what the Government's plans are for expanding services.

"What we are doing is asking people to pay for phantom plans and all too often phantom buses?

"It is beyond regressive and deeply challenging that this Government is falling back on a lack of increase in public transport fares as a just rationale for increasing them now and next year and the year after," he said.

Responding, Minister Canney said fare adjustments are necessary to help address the cost of increases experienced across the public transport system.

He said the Government intends to correct services they have or don't have, incorrect signage or missing buses.

"I just want to say that so that everybody will have a public transport service that they can rely on, that they can use and continue to use rather than have to contemplate buying a car," he said.

Minister Canney said that while maintaining affordable fares remains a key object for the Government, it was equally important for passengers to ensure that sufficient resources are available to introduce new routes, increase service frequency, improve reliability, enhance accessibility and connect more communities to public transport.