Public transport passengers across Ireland will face higher fares from January 2027 after the National Transport Authority (NTA) announced a major overhaul of the fare structure.
Adult fares are expected to rise by an average of 15%, with the cost of a standard 90-minute Leap Card journey increasing from €2 to €2.30.
The new prices will apply to public transport services operating under the Transport for Ireland network, including Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI Local Link.
The increases will affect cash payments, Leap Card fares and time-based tickets such as weekly and monthly passes.
The NTA said the changes represent the first general review of public transport fares since 2018. Despite the increase, it said fares will remain around 8% below their level eight years ago.
The authority said the average 15% rise was also below the rate of inflation recorded since 2022, which it put at 20.8%.
“While adult fares will increase by an average of 15%, this remains below cumulative inflation,” the NTA said.
A number of child fares, particularly those applying in regional cities and towns, will decrease under the revised structure.
Free travel for children until their ninth birthday will remain in place, as will free travel for people aged 66 and over. The existing 50% discount for young adults and students will also continue.
The NTA said almost 1.5 million people will continue to benefit from free or discounted travel through these measures and the wider Free Travel Scheme.
The authority also highlighted the level of State funding supporting public transport. Passenger fares currently account for about 38% of operating costs, with the majority of the remainder funded by the State.
Government support for public transport is expected to reach a record €940 million in 2026 through Public Service Obligation funding.
The NTA said the revised fare structure is designed to balance the cost paid by passengers with the level of public investment required to operate and expand the country's transport network.
“This is the first general increase in PSO fares in eight years and is an important step in supporting continued investment in expanded services, increased capacity and enhanced connectivity across the country,” said NTA chief executive Anne Shaw.
She said the changes were intended to preserve affordability while providing funding for improvements to the public transport system.
“These changes strike a careful balance between keeping public transport affordable and ensuring we can continue building a larger, more accessible and better-connected network for communities across Ireland,” Ms Shaw said.
The NTA also said Irish public transport fares remain competitive when compared with other European cities, despite the forthcoming increases.
From 2027, fares will be reviewed annually rather than remaining unchanged for several years. The reviews will take account of operating costs, investment needs and affordability.
The authority said the new approach is intended to ensure fares remain sustainable while allowing continued investment in public transport capacity, connectivity and reliability.
