Dublin car commuting hits all-time low as public transport use reaches 20-year high
Monday 21 September 2026
Public transport passenger numbers into Dublin have reached their highest level in 20 years, while car commuting has hit an all-time low.
Public transport use into Dublin has reached a 20-year high while car commuting has hit an all-time low, prompting calls to scrap planned fare increases.
According to reporting by Seán McCárthaigh and Philip Cowman, the total number of people using public transport to access the Irish capital has risen to its highest level in 20 years. At the same time, the number of commuters travelling into the city by private car has dropped to an unprecedented low.
These shifting travel patterns have led to growing calls to halt planned public transport fare hikes. Supporters of the move argue that avoiding fare increases will help sustain the ongoing transition from private car usage to public transit networks, reinforcing sustainable travel trends in the capital.