Fares To Rise By 15% On Public Transport Routes

Free travel for older people and children up to 9 will continue.

Fares are set to rise by an average of 15 per cent across bus and rail routes, including inter-city and local links across the country.

The bus and train tickets are going to cost more from 1 January 2027.

The National Transport Authority has announced adults taking buses in regional towns will pay €1.65 instead of €1.50, while young adults and student fares will rise by 5c.

In Dublin, 90 minute leap card fares will climb from €2 to €2.30 for adults, while young adults and students will pay €1.15 instead of €1.

Free travel for older people and children up to 9 will continue.

Kildare politicians have criticised the news, with Labour TD Mark Wall saying he "utterly condemns" the increases, citing the impact it will have on south Kildare commuters travelling in the Dublin Commuter Zone which includes Kildare Town, Newbridge and Kilcullen.

Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly has described it as "a slap in the face for passengers".

Deputy Farrelly, who is the party’s transport spokesperson, added that "shifting people from cars to public transport is crucial if we are to have any chance of meeting our legally binding climate action targets by 2030, for this to happen, we need reliable services that are affordable".

Five commuter coalition groups have also slammed the increase, accusing the Government of ignoring investment in public transport.

A new flat fare of €1.70 is being introduced in counties Galway, Limerick and Waterford.

There’s no change to rates in County Cork but in the capital commuters will face hikes of 30c.

National Transport Authority CEO Anne Shaw says child tickets will be reduced, on average:

Speaking on Kildare Today, Fianna Fáil for Dublin West and Transport Spokesperson Shane Moynihan said that the price rises should be accompanied by more services:

"I would certainly be of the view that any increase of fares should be used to unlock services, and that people who use the Dublin and Kildare lines would have additional trains on those routes.

"If we are going to see an increase of fares, I think they have to be tied very clearly to unlocking additional services, to make public transport more attractive."

The full interview with Deputy Moynihan can be heard below: