A hike in fares that will see commuters paying 15% more for Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and other public transport services from January has been slammed as a “slap in the face” to those struggling most with cost-of-living pressures.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the increase last week and also warned that fare structures, which have remained mostly static since 2018, will be reviewed annually from next year.
Fare revenue currently covers approximately 38% of operating costs for public transport services and last year the government provided €940 million in Public Service Obligation funding to support and develop routes across the Transport for Ireland network.
The increases will see a 90-minute Leap Card journey increase from €2 to €2.30 while a short Dublin Bus cash fare will jump from €2 to €2.70. Intercity rail express fares will increase by 10% and economy fares by up to 20%.
Minister for Transport and Dublin Fingal East TD, Darragh O’Brien, defended the increases and described the new fare structure as “a crucial step to expand capacity across our public transport service”.
The NTA said that even following the increase, fares would remain approximately 8% lower than they were eight years ago.
“Demand is at record levels, and people rightly expect more frequent, reliable and better-connected services,” said Chief Executive Officer of the National Transport Authority, Anne Shaw.
“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.”
However, critics have called for the increases to be reversed with trade union SIPTU calling on the government to provide more funding to prevent fares going up. SIPTU said last week’s announcement will worsen the cost-of-living crisis, undermine climate policy, and inevitably affect pay negotiations across the public.
“Workers who rely on buses, trains and the Luas to get to their workplaces cannot afford a 15% increase in the cost of doing so,” said SIPTU Deputy General Secretary for the Public Service, Adrian Kane. “They are already struggling with excessive housing, food, energy and other essential costs.
“The cost of getting to work is a cost of work. If the government permits commuting costs to increase by 15%, trade unions will have no choice but to factor that further reduction in workers’ disposable incomes into pay negotiations across both the public and private sectors.
SIPTU said a worker paying the current Leap Card €2 fare twice a day could be paying an extra €150 a year under the new structure.
The union’s Deputy General Secretary for the Private Sector, Greg Ennis, described the increases as “completely at odds with the State’s environmental and climate commitments.”
“The State is making the more sustainable option more expensive,” he added. “That sends entirely the wrong signal to workers and commuters who have chosen, or have no alternative but, to use public transport.”
The left-leaning Affordable Ireland Campaign coalition also condemned the fare changes and called on all those affected to protest at its pre-Budget demonstration in Dublin city centre at 1pm on Saturday, September 19.
“This announcement will be a shock to the many people already struggling with the cost of living crisis,” said Spokesperson Eddie Conlon. “Increases are far in excess of inflation and will hurt lower income households most as they depend more on public transport.
“At a time when households are expecting relief from the cost-of-living crisis in the October Budget the government has heaped more pressure on those already struggling. These increases must be reversed.”
Green Party Spokesperson for Transport, Councillor Feljin Jose, also added his voice to the criticism of the increases.
“With motorways full and congestion at record levels, we should be encouraging more people to use public transport, expanding services and reducing car usage,” he said. “Instead, this government has decided to make it more expensive to do the right thing in the midst of a cost of living crisis. This decision will cost us far more in congestion and emissions than it will raise in revenue.
“In 2022, we brought in the first fare reduction in Ireland since 1947 with half price fares for students and young people and a 20% reduction for everyone. This drove historic growth that saw record levels of public transport usage across all operators.
This is now being jeopardised by the government’s decision to make it more expensive.”
Green Party Leader, Roderic O’Gorman, claimed the decision to increase fares showed the bus and rail passengers were bottom of the list of government priorities.
“To raise public transport fares by 15% in the middle of a cost of living crisis is a slap in the face to everyone who uses the bus, train, Luas or DART,” he said