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which deliver the services and have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation, PSO, contracts. In this context, the NTA published the national … fares strategy in 2023. This aims to create a more equitable, consistent and easy-to-understand fare system based on distance travelled. In line with this strategy, the NTA published fare determinations in January 2024 covering the Dublin city zone, 25 km from the city centre

here to reply. Bus commuters on the Cavan-Dublin route were absolutely shocked to learn on 16 June of a massive increase in fares from that date. A daily return ticket from Cavan to Dublin was increased from €18.50 to €27.30, an increase of almost … been supported practically unanimously by the Oireachtas. To encourage people to switch to public transport there is a need for reasonably priced fares. The decision by the National Transport Authority in the case of the route I am discussing is not fair and it is not equitable. Those

delivery of this goal and in enabling us to make continued progress with regard to our climate obligations. On fares, the Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all citizens, including children. In the programme for Government, our commitments include … roll-out of contactless payments and keeping fares affordable. We saw the announcement of fairer fares, their implementation and an examination of the further expansion of free public transport for children. We have extended the 20% fare reduction and a 90-minute fare on public service obligation services

Government, there are some points within it that require clarification. Those points will be highlighted throughout the ministerial contributions. On the fares initiative, as Deputies are aware and as outlined in the Programme for Government: Securing Ireland's Future, the Government is committed to keeping fares … public service obligation, PSO, and Local Link services this year. The package includes funding for the continuation of the various public transport fare reduction initiatives and the extension of free child fares on PSO services to five-to-eight-year-olds. Most recently, the NTA commenced implementation

particular, the fact that over 1 million public transport journeys are now taken each day; — the reductions in all public transport fares that were introduced in April 2022; — the additional reductions in public transport fares for young adults between 19 and 25 via the Young Adult and Student … number of people using these services, with 100,000 journeys taking place on Local Link services every week; notes that: — further reductions in fares, balanced with investment in capacity, will bring even more people onto public transport; — a focus on continuous improvement in passengers' experience is now critical

Meath West commuters eagerly anticipated the new commuter fare zones being announced but they were disappointed in April to find out those only related to rail fares. We were disappointed again in recent weeks when the bus fares were announced. My own town of Trim only … minimal decrease in the fare but towns like Navan and Athboy saw an increase. The rationale given is that these fares now cover bus and rail. Unfortunately, as the Taoiseach well knows, we have no access to rail lines in towns like Navan and Athboy. I ask that

good way for Ireland to course correct. I noted what the Minister of State said in his opening statement about fare reductions and that keeping fares low is a priority. It is vital. The Minister of State did not say that the reductions would be changed or altered … give any indication in that regard. Those fare reductions must not be reversed because if we are to continue to make the progress that has been made in recent years, it is important that fares are kept as low as possible. We heard what the Minister of State

thank the Minister of State for the reply. The figure I have been given, and the fare I know people are paying, is the return fare, which increased from €18.50 to €27.30. That is a somewhat different percentage increase than that for the single fare he cited

Department of Transport secured €658 million in funding, an increase from €613 million for 2024. This funding supports the continuation of the 20% fare reduction in PSO services, the young adult card for PSO and commercial bus services and the 90-minute rail fare until … Deputy referenced a return fare increase from €18.50 to €27.30. I will check that. It seems like a large increase. I will examine peak-time morning and evening schedules. People travel from Dublin and board at different stops, and services have to let people off. It is about

face ghost buses, inaccurate information about arrivals and departures on transport apps, broken real-time monitors and inflexibility in how they pay their fares. The Minister will have heard Deputy after Deputy speak about how ghost buses in particular are undermining public confidence in the transport system … contribution. Affordability is key. We know that public transport users are price sensitive. It is important that the overall cuts in public transport fares that were introduced by the previous Government be maintained, as they are important cost-of-living measures. I heard what the Minister said about

have seen the extension of contactless fare payments in cities such as London, Edinburgh, Barcelona and Milan, as well as in the Netherlands. I am looking for the expected timeline for the roll-out of contactless fare payments on all public transport

tabling this motion and giving us the chance to have this discussion. The Minister of State said the implementation of the new fares strategy is making fares fairer. It is for some people, definitely, but for the people I represent in Dublin Fingal West, since Darragh O'Brien

fair, kick-started much-needed investment in our public transport during its time in government, following decades of neglect and underinvestment. It achieved fare reductions on public transport and enhanced Local Link services, investing record amounts and achieving a record 328 million public transport journeys last year. That … only approximately 40 km difference in the distance travelled. I have been in touch with the NTA about this. It acknowledged that the fare structures are not always equitable, consistent or easy for passengers to understand, as other Deputies have alluded to. I ask the Minister work closely

success story, but we could do with two more in the morning and the evening in order to meet peak capacity. Regarding rail fares, I welcome the fact that after a recent campaign, we are looking at redoing student fares in the run-up to the new school

more from the precarious and inconsistent nature of their income. It is important to note that even those in receipt of the payment fare worse than the general population in terms of deprivation and depression. This is the first large-scale randomised control test undertaken by a Department

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the expected timeline for the roll-out of contactless fare payments on all public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34135/25

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the roll-out of contactless fare payments across public transport services, including buses and trains; the expected timeline for full implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34183/25

obligation services, Dublin commuter routes operated by Go-Ahead Ireland and all local link rural services nationwide. As part of the young adult fares scheme, 27 private bus operators already sell their tickets on the TFI Go app. It is good news that this is being advanced

other innovations that have taken place, the Leap card was a big step forward from what we had before. The 90-minute fare is very useful. The interaction of the Leap card between all of our transport operators as well is useful. It is not too many years

motion put forward by Deputy O'Gorman. They are very welcome and timely. The very important ones are to further reduce fares and to further accelerate the Connecting Ireland rural bus programme. The all-island rail strategy was mentioned. It is important, as we move towards the reunification

home or without driving people back into their cars. As part of BusConnects, nearly €9 million has been spent on contactless fares. On the basis of replies to parliamentary questions, this project will not come to fruition until 2028. Where is that money going? Given the backlog

rail service, which I use, from Cahir to Limerick Junction. It is a good service although it only runs twice a day. The fare is only €2.70, which is nothing, but the service must be upgraded to at least four or five times a day and have better

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the introduction of a maximum Leap card fare in regional cities, similar to the 90-minute fare in Dublin for €2; the way in which this will fit into the new National Fare Strategy

aware of the concerns of commuters using Bus Éireann services on the Cavan-Dublin route in relation to the excessive increase in fares effective from 16 June 2025; if he will ensure that these fares are reviewed and reduced by the National Transport Authority; and if he will

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the amount of money spent on taxi fares between hospitals (details supplied) covered by the HSE; to breakdown the reasoning behind the fares, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31400/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of maintaining the 20% fare reduction on public transport in each of the years 2024 and 2025; and to estimate the cost of maintaining 20% decrease on public transport fares in 2026, in tabular form. [29624/25

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the expected timeline for the roll-out of contactless fare payments on all public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34135/25

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the roll-out of contactless fare payments across public transport services, including buses and trains; the expected timeline for full implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34183/25

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport if he is considering public transport fare reductions in his Department's estimates 2026 submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34027/25

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if the 50% reduction in fares for 18–25-year-olds with a young adult Leap card is a permanent measure that will continue in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29569/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated annual cost of maintaining the 20% fare reduction until 2030 broken down by years one to five, in tabular form. [29625/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated annual cost of maintaining the 20% fare reduction until 2030 in 2026. [29626/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated annual revenue that would be earned by eliminating the 20% fare reduction in 2026. [29627/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full and first year cost of the 50% fare discount for the young adult card. [29631/25

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of 2024 cost of the 50% fare discount for the young adult card; the estimated cost for 2025; the estimated cost of extending it in 2026; and the estimated cost of extending it to 2030. [29632/25