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sheer audacity of the Government proposal to increase public transport fares is breathtaking. The Government wants to increase public transport fares while large parts of rural Ireland are still waiting for public transport that actually exists. In Offaly, people are not talking about buses being too cheap. They … available. It is not delayed because of planning or staffing but because the Government has simply not provided the money. The Minister says fares have to rise to support the system. People in rural Ireland have every right to ask what system exactly he is talking about

want to make a particular point about the impact of the proposed fare increases on people in my county. I recognise the significant investment the Government is making in public transport. In 2026, €940 million is being invested across the public transport network and that investment is badly … have a very real cost-of-living crisis. The national average increase is approximately 15%, but people in Kerry are concerned that some fares could increase by significantly more than that, in some cases by over 30%. That matters in a rural county like Kerry

couple of weeks and that is fine, but this was an opportunity to outline it. Otherwise, what we are going to see are fare hikes - they are going to be part of that - and a lack of investment in services. The Minister of State is talking … last year was zero. There were no new services, certainly when it came to buses. We have an opportunity here to keep the fares as they were and actually look to further reduce them, not increase them. All I can assume is that the likes of the fare

same language. It has been a success story and to keep it that way, there has to be an honest conversation around fare structures. To be fair, we must consider the volume of people using public transport. I know that some Deputies will dismiss the €940 million … that is a significant investment by Government in public transport. I would make the point that we have maintained a fare freeze for eight years, along with targeted affordability measures of which we are all aware. Those measures compare favourably internationally. I take the point that there

households and pensioners are facing renewed and significant increases in the cost of fuel and energy, as well as increases in public transport fares, adding further pressure to an already severe cost-of-living crisis; and — the Government is directly contributing to this cost-of-living crisis … strict price controls on fuel, energy and groceries and abolish standing charges for electricity and gas; — stop the planned increases in public transport fares and introduce free public transport to incentivise public transport use; — introduce a €500 energy credit in the Budget, to be funded by an energy

Deputy said, the National Transport Authority made the decision to publish the new fares on 3 September of this year, with the revised fares taking effect from January 2027. This was a really important step in standardising the national fares structure. It is in line with a strategy … work are not. At the same time, in that period, we have seen costs drop, specifically by 20% in the cost-of-living fares reduction, the young adult card discount of 50% and the extension of free travel to children under nine, so we have seen reductions

down that road, it will be a shame on him and his Government - let us be honest. He said he is maintaining affordable fares. Of course he is not; he is increasing the fares. He also tells us there will be significant expansion and enhancement of services … been confirmed that these unfair fare hikes will just tread water. It will be the status quo. They are not for new services, so my constituents will pay more again this year for the pleasure and the privilege of being on overcrowded trains or standing on the side

Link services. This is a significant 43% uplift, an increase from €658.4 million in 2025. As I said earlier, Ireland's package of fare measures compares very favourably with many international peers. The challenge is to balance affordability for passengers with the long-term financial sustainability needed … biggest in-year and year-on-year enhancement of services for many years. The changes also represent an important step towards standardising fares nationwide in line with the national fares strategy published in 2023. The Government and the Department of Transport, in partnership with the NTA and operators

National Transport Authority's, NTA, plans to increase public transport fares by an average of 15% have come as a hammer blow to commuters already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. Fares for some will rise by up to 35%. Certain cohorts of students have been excluded … from student fare rates. These changes will disproportionately affect those on lower incomes coming at a time when housing, grocery and energy costs remain intolerably high and rising. This change also follows price hikes for parents of children using school transport. It comes after a summer when droughts

fairness, we have been out talking about this and so has the Minister. Ireland has maintained an effective eight-year fare freeze alongside targeted measures like the young adult card, free travel for under nines and the 90-minute fare, which is support that compares favourably with international … that. Most European countries rely on a mix taxpayer funding and passenger revenue. We have delivered one of the most significant fare reforms in decades through the 90-minute fare and youth discounts. Now, we have identified 140 new service initiatives and capacity enhancements in the 2027 budget

April 2022, I was pleased to support the cut in public transport fares in the aftermath of Covid by between 20% and 50%, depending on what kind of ticket passengers were using. At that time, the rationale was expressed that lower fares made public transport more attractive … that the Government is suggesting that is not the case or that there is not an evidence-based approach that suggests that lower fares allow more people to use public transport. The reality is that there are ancillary benefits to more people using public transport, such as reductions

thank the Minister of State. The cost of fares is obviously a significant expense for people who rely on public transport. At a time when households right across the State are struggling with rising costs, rising rents and rising everything else, there is a need for the Government … upfront with people as to whether commuters will face an increase in public transport fares. In the Minister of State's response, he has not given any clarity as to whether fares may increase. I want to raise the taxsaver scheme because this is one area where commuters

Uber, a multimillion euro company, that is trying to undermine the livelihood of nearly 20,000 taxi drivers by introducing a fixed fare system. This will undermine the regulated fare structure and therefore the livelihoods of taxi drivers and ultimately the industry itself. In the long … clear from Uber's behaviour elsewhere in the world, it will not benefit the customer. Once the company gets hold of a market, fares and charges go up and the livelihoods of taxi drivers get smashed. Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Transport to impose such regulations

funding gap and, as a result, commuters who are already crippled by rising rents and the cost of living are going to face fare hikes. I want the Minister to commit to retaining the reductions in public transport fares as part of this year's budget. Earlier this … year we were warned by officials in the Department of public expenditure that key infrastructure projects would not be delivered without increasing fares, but now we hear that services will be cut also. If the Government is trying to reduce carbon emissions and get people onto public transport

This year, the NTA introduced a new distance based zonal fare structure for the greater Dublin area. This move aims to make fares equitable, more consistent and easier to understand with significant reductions for many commuting from outer areas aligning prices more closely with distance travelled. I acknowledge … possible. The Minister for Transport has met, and will continue to meet and listen to, the representatives of the commercial operators. While fare initiatives have delivered clear benefits for passengers, they also carry financial implications, emphasising the need to balance affordability with long-term sustainability of the public

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

last point regarding the increases in some areas, there have also been massive decreases in other areas because the new ticketing and fare system for Dublin has created a fairer way of dealing with this. To go back to the affordability of public transport, it is important … state there have been many fare changes in recent years. For example, the Government is expanding free child fares and maintaining the young adult student leap card at 50% off, and there is also a 90-minute fare. These are initiatives to try to incentivise people

thank Deputy Daly from Sinn Féin for bringing forward this motion on public transport and fare increases. Instead of working towards a goal and trying to increase bus services in rural areas, this Government is taking a step backwards. The decision to increase public transport fares … increase for a service that is often very poor and is extremely unreliable, yet we are being expected to pay an even higher fare for an already poor service, with no intention of any upgrades to justify the extra expenditure. Donegal is not served by any rail connections

This increase in public transport fares is affecting the most vulnerable citizens and many students in third level education. The reality is that because of its failure in terms of housing, this Government has displaced so many young people from university campuses right across this country … have had a number of calls about problems with connecting buses for young people going to college. The Government is now increasing the fares for the privilege of having to commute to college on a daily basis. It is wrong. I hope the Minister of State

Government projects a €9.2 billion surplus for this year and today it is looking for a 15% increase in bus and rail fares. I do not know if I heard this right. This Government projects a €9.2 billion surplus for 2026 and it wants to increase … rail fares by 15%. My God. I was in Moate the other night at a meeting attended by over 3,500 people from all walks of life - the transport network, the haulage network, carers, nurses and contractors - wondering how their businesses are going to survive and then they

middle of a cost-of-living crisis. Everything is more expensive. The last thing we should be doing is hiking public transport fares and putting more costs on the people who get up early in the morning, as the Government likes to say. If we want people … private cars, we should reduce transport fares and increase the number of people who are entitled to free public transport, particularly those under 18 years of age because what we will then see is those young people developing good habits at an early age. This is a slap

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 16 September 2026, the child fares that will be reduced as stated in the response; if he anticipates that the fare hikes on public transport will lead to a reduction … Oireachtas committee hearing on 16 September 2026; if he has considered reversing these proposed hikes; if there will be any other changes to fares as part of budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter [67278/26

Those policies are working because the fare points are right. We know that increased fares reduce passenger numbers. The Government has made a decision in the last couple of weeks that it knows will be tantamount to a reduced level of service demand at a time when … come from. What I am looking for is detail to ensure that no public transport services suffer, and no further public transport fare increases happen, because

might need them most, while at the same time trying to get that balance right. I appreciate that nobody wants to see their fares going up, but in a review of some of the rail lines, what we have seen - even in my own constituency - is that fares … have gone down. We will see fares go up and down depending on where they are and what type of investment is happening. It is always about getting the balance right and trying to make it as cheap as possible for people

This Topical Issue is about the fare hikes - or the unfair hikes, as we might call them. The people who live in my constituency already had their fares jacked up. Those who get the train from Balbriggan or Skerries were taken out of the Dublin commuter zone … their fares increased by almost €100. That was only last year. We now have a situation whereby they will be asked to pay more. They are not getting any extra services; not an additional carriage will be added. The Government was very clear about that. They will

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the recent fare changes have resulted in increased costs for passengers living in Skerries and Balbriggan and that this increase in fares is serving to heap further costs on hard pressed commuters

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

Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an estimate of the annual financial impact that the new increased fare zones will have on commuters in Kildare north in comparison to previous fares, particularly those in Zone 2 towns in Kildare

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will discuss the recent unfair fare increases on thousands of commuters living in towns in zone 2 of the new leap fare zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22827/25

cancer patients approved under the treatment abroad scheme between the years 2020 to 2024 received funding to cover their economic air or sea fares under the scheme; the number of companion/carers were approved for funding for economic air or sea fares under the scheme, in tabular form

Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Transport to respond to correspondence received (details supplied) in relation to the 2025 Taxsaver fares determination and the new fare structure coming into effect in June this year; if the commuter zone tickets will be extended to Dundalk given the significant

reason Dundalk has been excluded from the new zonal ticketing system for the Dublin Commuter Area, as outlined in the 2024 public transport fares determination; if he will consider including Dundalk in this system, given its impact on the Taxsaver fare structure. [14134/25

Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport when the roll out of discounted fares on PSO services, on child fares to include those ages 5-8 years, will be introduced. [8021/25

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if he will implement a reduced fare or flat daily fare for public transport users who are residents of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1828/25

Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the reason the promotional fares on the Ballybrophy rail line are being discontinued given the success of the initiative. [74369/26

Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport the amount of fare revenue that his Department expects to generate from PSO supported services in 2027. [72106/26

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport whether he has received advice from the NTA on fixed or discounted fares set through app-based taxi dispatch platforms; whether the current Taxi Regulation Legislation adequately covers such pricing models; whether regulatory or legislative changes are being considered

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with the National Transport Authority to review the proposed public transport fare increases due to take effect from 2027, particularly in light of concerns regarding affordability, the impact on rural commuters in County Kerry

asked the Minister for Transport the amount the National Transport Authority has estimated would be required in 2027 to maintain public service obligation fares at 2026 levels; whether the Department has sought that amount in the Budget 2027 Estimates process; and if the Minister will make a statement

Transport if he will provide the €70 million in funding that the NTA says is required to avoid the increase in public transport fares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68009/26

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport whether he has conducted any affordability tests on fare increases in Cork. [66855/26

Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport for an update as of September 2026 on the proposed increased fares on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67661/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport If he is considering intervening to halt proposed increases in public transport fares. [67405/26

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene to reverse planned fare hikes to public transport in the new year, that will have a negative impact on commuters. [66894/26

launched Ennis town public bus service; the hours of operation; the extent of bus stops; the range of vehicles; the expected price fares for all ticket and concessionary passengers; if there are plans to provide further public bus routes across County Clare, including the potential to provide more

Minister for Transport to outline the analysis undertaken by his Department regarding the impact of the recent NTA announcement on public transport fare changes and the effect of this on rural commuters; and the steps being taken to ensure public transport is affordable and accessible for rural commuters

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport to provide a full copy of the research showing the relationship between passenger fares and public transport usage recently discussed at the Transport Committee (details supplied). [67362/26

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Transport the meetings he has held with the NTA since January 2026; if recently announced fare increases were discussed; and his response to the matter. [66314/26