Bus and train fares are set to rise by an average of 15 per cent nationwide from January 2027, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has confirmed.
Among the changes, the 90-minute Leap Card fare in the Greater Dublin Area will increase from €2 to €2.30. The increase will also apply to all public service obligation routes operated under the Transport for Ireland (TFI) network, including Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI Local Link services.
The NTA has defended the increase, arguing that even after the rise, fares will remain roughly 8 per cent lower than they were eight years ago, and below the rate of inflation. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has also defended the decision, saying the Government is “not in a position to fund everything forever.”
The announcement drew sharp criticism, with many arguing that the response feels out of touch. Many have pointed to unreliable existing services — including delays, cancellations, and “ghost buses” that never arrive — as evidence that commuters are already receiving poor value. Others contrasted Ireland’s fares with those elsewhere in Europe, such as Luxembourg, where public transport is free, and Vienna, where it is significantly cheaper than in Dublin.
There is also concern about the cost-of-living crisis and the impact the increases will have on commuters and students in particular. Critics argued that Ireland should be moving in the opposite direction by lowering transport costs to drive uptake and cut carbon emissions, rather than raising fares.
The move followed comments made by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien after the budget announcement in October 2025, when he said he was “not writing anything off” when it came to bus and rail fare increases, citing the need for a “sustainable” funding model for public transport.
A sticking point has been the lack of major improvements to services, routes, or equipment alongside these price hikes, leaving many commuters feeling short-changed.
