Increases in public transport fares have been described as “absolutely unacceptable” by commuter groups.

Adult fares will increase by an average of 15% from January, the National Transport Authority announced.

The groups accused the Government of asking bus, rail and tram users to “in effect” cover the “astounding cost” of an extension in cuts to Excise Duty on petrol and diesel.

In a joint statement, the Galway, Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Drogheda commuter coalitions said that move “amounts to a cost of over €2 million a day”.

“Costs to run our public transport services are rising,” they said.

“With vastly increasing congestion, our bus networks require more vehicles and drivers than ever before to maintain the same service.

“The schemes meant to alleviate this congestion and prioritise buses have been put on pause across the country as the promised funding has failed to materialise.

“This funding has been allocated to the construction of more roads.

“Funding for the electrification of our railways, ensuring that they can continue to move our people during oil shocks without change has also been allocated to the construction of more roads.

In a message to commuters, the statement said: “As you cram onto a crowded train or get passed by a full bus in the rain this winter, remember that the government is glad to raise your fares and to use the money they promised you for service improvements on the petrol that you don’t burn”.

The groups added that the war in Iran has highlighted the importance for Ireland to be less dependent on oil, but the Government is doing the “exact opposite”.

Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Transport and Energy Louis O’Hara described the fare rises as “a slap in the face to people who rely on public transport”.

“It is bad enough that thousands of commuters are forced to travel on overcrowded and unreliable services on a daily basis.

“The NTA (National Transport Authority) and Government are now telling them they will have to pay more for these services, adding insult to injury.

“Fare increases are not acceptable, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis and when Government is supposed to be incentivising public transport as a real alternative to car transport.”

Mr O’Hara added that “the Government clearly has its priorities all wrong”.

The Social Democrats said that at a time when the Government should be doing all it could to incentivise public transport use, the fare increases will do the exact opposite.

TD Aidan Farrelly 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.

“It will see Transport for Ireland’s 90-minute fare for Dublin commuter services rise from €2 to €2.30, with similar price increases across the country’s bus and rail network.

“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.”

Labour Party Spokesperson on Transport Ciarán Ahern said the increases are well above the rate of inflation and called on the Government to stop them.

“Last week Government spent a further €400 million on excise cuts for drivers – yet it won’t act to stop fare increases on commuters.

“Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are doubling down on fossil fuels when they should be encouraging people to use public transport.

“It’s anti-worker and it proves this Government’s failure to take any leadership on climate.”

People Before Profit described the fare hikes as “outrageous”.

Councillor Conor Reddy said the party was calling for free, frequent public transport and a major expansion of the bus and rail network.