First fares increase in eight years aims to support increased capacity and enhanced connectivity
The National Transport Authority (NTA) today announced a change in the national fare structure for Public Service Obligation (PSO) services, which will come into effect in January 2027.
The revised fare structure represents the first broad adjustment to PSO fares since 2018 and forms part of the NTA’s National Fare Strategy, supporting the continued expansion and improvement of public transport services while protecting affordable access for passengers.
Even following these changes, fares will remain approximately 8% lower than they were eight years ago, reflecting the fare reductions introduced in 2022 as part of Government cost of living measures. While adult fares will increase by an average of 15%, this remains below cumulative inflation, which has increased by 20.8% since 2022.
The revised fares will apply across all 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.
· Adult fares will increase by an average of 15%.
Almost 1.5 million people in Ireland, representing 27% of the population, are eligible for age-related free travel or fare concessions. This includes nearly 550,000 children under the age of nine and more than 860,000 people aged 65 and over.
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.
Fare revenue, alongside continued Government investment through Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding, plays a vital role in supporting and developing public transport services across Ireland. 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 €940 million in PSO funding towards the cost of operating services across the Transport for Ireland network.
This investment has helped support significant improvements to public transport services across Ireland, including the delivery of BusConnects, the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Programme, enhanced commuter rail services and expanded capacity across the network.
Demand for public transport continues to grow strongly, with record passenger numbers being recorded across the public transport network. While Government investment has increased significantly in recent years, fare revenue has remained broadly unchanged following fare reductions and the expansion of discounted and free travel initiatives.
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.
From 2027 onwards, the NTA will review fares annually to ensure they remain aligned with operating costs, investment requirements and affordability objectives.
Anne Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of the National Transport Authority, said:
“Our priority is to deliver the best possible public transport system for passengers. Demand is at record levels and people rightly expect more frequent, reliable and better-connected services. 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.”
Dedicated information campaigns will be undertaken ahead of implementation to ensure passengers are aware of the changes and understand what they mean for their journeys.
For more information on the fare changes, please visit: NTA Fares Determination 2026
