Adult fares for public transport will be increased by 15% from January 2027 onwards after new fare structures were announced by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The NTA stated that the new structure is the first significant adjustment since 2018 and defended the hike by saying that fares will still be around 8% lower than they were eight years ago.

The increase will see a 90-minute Leap Card journey rise from €2 to €2.30.

The NTA said: ‘While adult fares will increase by an average of 15%, this remains below cumulative inflation, which has increased by 20.8% since 2022.’

The new fares will apply across all public transport services under the Transport for Ireland (TFI) network, such as Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI Local Link services.

The increase will affect cash fares, Leap Card fares and time-based products, like weekly and monthly passes.

Many child fares, particularly in regional cities and towns, are set to be reduced.

There will be no changes to free travel for all children up to their 9th birthday and free travel for all people aged 66 and over.

The NTA continued: ‘Fare revenue currently covers approximately 38% of operating costs, which is at the lower end of the European average.

‘Nearly all of the remaining costs are covered by the State. In 2026 alone, Government provided a record €940million in PSO funding towards the cost of operating services across the Transport for Ireland network.’

The authority claimed that the changes are being introduced to maintain an appropriate balance between passenger fares and State investment while ensuring continued investment in public transport services, capacity, connectivity and reliability.

Anne Shaw, CEO of the NTA, said: ‘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.

‘At the same time, almost 1.5 million people will continue to benefit from free travel or fare concessions, including children under nine, people aged 66 and over, and those eligible under the Free Travel Scheme, while the 50% Young Adult and Student Discount is being maintained.

‘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.’

Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, who is the party’s transport spokesperson, has called the price hike a ‘slap in the face’ for those using public transport and slammed the government for doing the opposite of incentivising it.

He said: ‘The NTA’s decision to hike fares by an average of 15% is a retrograde step that will further discourage commuters from using public transport…

‘With people struggling with an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis that shows no sign of easing, this is a very shortsighted move by the NTA and a slap in the face for passengers.’