Adult bus and train fares to rise by 15 percent in January
Thursday 3 September 2026
Ireland's National Transport Authority will increase adult public transport fares by an average of 15% in January, drawing criticism from former transport minister Eamon Ryan.
Adult bus and train fares in Ireland will increase by an average of 15% starting in January.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has confirmed the upcoming price changes, which will see the 90-minute Leap card fare for passengers in the Greater Dublin area rise from €2 to €2.30. NTA Chief Executive Anne Shaw stated that the price increases are designed to standardise the fare structure while generating extra revenue to fund future investment in the country's transport network.
However, the move has drawn criticism from former transport minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan. Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime programme, Ryan accused the government of failing to invest sufficiently in public transport, claiming the state administrative system is content to maintain a car-dependent nation. Ryan noted that during the Green Party's tenure in the previous government, public transport fares were cut by 20% overall and reduced by half for younger commuters.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin defended the decision to reporters, stating that the government is not in a position to fund services indefinitely.