Bus and train fare hikes to be announced by transport authority

Bus and train fares are to increase by about 15 per cent on average under new measures to be announced on Thursday. The move is expected to Transport for Ireland 90-minute fare – which gives unlimited travel across eligible services in Dublin for €2 over a period of an hour and a half – rise to €2.30. The changes, which are to be announced , will see some fares for children and young adults fall. However, in other cases, specific fares may rise by about 30 per cent. On average, overall fare prices will rise by about 15 per cent. Free travel for all children up to age nine and for older people will continue. The changes come at a time when the Government is already facing pressure from the Opposition, trade unions and campaign groups over the rising cost of living. It is also likely to be criticised . The exchequer this year provided €940 million to offset the cost of delivering what are known as public service obligation (PSO) routes which could not be operated on a commercial basis. However, it is understood that the Department of Public Expenditure has been concerned for some time about the rising cost in this area. Speaking after the budget announcement last October, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said increases in bus and rail fares were not off the table. He said there must be a “sustainable” funding model for public transport systems. While the Minister said at the time there would be no fare rises following the 2026 budget, he could not rule out later price hikes. “I’m not writing anything off because what I want is to expand on the transport network.” According to the Minister, the Government had made “significant progress” in changing the 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,” he said, adding that people had responded to the increased services across the country. However, he said that any fare system must remain “affordable”. The rising cost of State funding for public transport services has been a concern in the Department of Public Expenditure for some time. This ratio has increased substantially since 2019.” A spokeswoman for the Minister for Transport could not be contacted.