It's official: transport authorities expect a drop in public transport use after fare hike

PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARE increases are likely to decrease the number of passengers using trains and buses, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has confirmed.

Earlier this month, the NTA announced the ’90-minute fare’ that applies for Leap cardholders travelling in the Greater Dublin area will increase from €2 to €2.30.

Adult fares on buses and trains nationwide are set to increase by an average of 15%. However, a meeting of the Oireachtas Transport Committee heard from TDs today who said fare increases would amount to over 30% in some areas.

The fare increases come into effect from January.

Chair of the committee, Fine Gael’s Michael Murphy asked Jeremy Ryan, the NTA’s Director of Public Transport Services if research had been carried out on the impact fare increases may have on public transport usage.