Eamon Ryan accuses government of 'political choices against public transport' after fare hikes
Former Irish Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has criticized the government's decision to increase public transport fares by 15%. Ryan argues that the move reflects a lack of commitment to sustainable infrastructure and prioritizes car-dependent policies.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the tension between fiscal austerity and the need for public investment in green infrastructure during a cost-of-living crisis.
FORMER TRANSPORT MINISTER and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has hit out at the upcoming increase in bus and train fares for adults and accused the government of not properly investing in public transport.
The change , which will come into effect in January, will see adult fares hiked by an average of 15%.
The ’90-minute’ fare that applies for Leap cardholders travelling in the Greater Dublin area, a measure introduced by the Greens in the last government, is to be increased from €2 to €2.30.
National Transport Authority chief executive Anne Shaw said the fare increases are intended to standardise fares as well as provide additional revenue for investment in the transport network.
Asked by reporters about the increases today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “Government is not in the position to fund everything forever”.
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