Adult fares for public transport will increase by an average of 15% from January 2027 under new fare structures announced by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
It will see a 90-minute Leap card journey increase from €2 to €2.30.
The NTA said the revised fare structure is the first broad adjustment since 2018 and that even after these changes, fares will remain approximately 8% lower than they were eight years ago.
“While adult fares will increase by an average of 15%, this remains below cumulative inflation, which has increased by 20.8% since 2022,” the NTA said.
The revised fares will apply across all Public Service Obligation (PSO) services operated under the Transport for Ireland (TFI) network, including Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI Local Link services.
The changes apply to cash fares, Leap Card fares and time-based products such as weekly and monthly passes.
Many child fares, particularly in regional cities and towns, will be reduced.
Free travel for all children up to their 9th birthday, and free travel for all people aged 66 and over, will be maintained.
“Fare revenue currently covers approximately 38% of operating costs, which is at the lower end of the European average,” the NTA said.
“Nearly all of the remaining costs are covered by the State. In 2026 alone, Government provided a record €940 million in PSO funding towards the cost of operating services across the Transport for Ireland network,” it added.
The authority said that the revised fare structure is intended to maintain an appropriate balance between passenger fares and State investment while ensuring continued investment in public transport services, capacity, connectivity and reliability.
“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 Anne Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of the National Transport Authority.
“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,” Ms Shaw said.
From 2027 onwards, the NTA said it will review fares annually to ensure they remain aligned with operating costs, investment requirements and affordability objectives.
“Even with these changes, Ireland’s public transport fares remain extremely competitive by European standards, with single-trip fares in Dublin comparing favourably with those in cities including Berlin, Brussels, London and Vienna,” according to the NTA.