Public transport fares to rise by around 15% in 2027
Image: primipil via Canva.
Public transport fares across Ireland are set to rise in 2027, with passengers on Dublin Bus, DART and Luas among those facing higher prices.
The changes are set out in the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) newly published 2026 Fares Determination, which covers fares on subsidised public transport services across the country, including Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI Local Link.
Adult fares will increase by an average of 15%, although the exact increase varies depending on the ticket and service.
In Dublin, the popular TFI 90-minute Leap fare will rise from €2 to €2.30. The Young Adult version will increase from €1 to €1.15, while the child fare will rise from €0.65 to €0.75.
The short-distance Leap fare on Dublin Bus, Luas and DART will see a larger increase, rising by 33% from €1.50 to €2. The adult short cash fare will increase from €2 to €2.70.
Daily and weekly Leap caps in Dublin will also rise. The adult daily cap will increase from €6 to €6.90, with the weekly cap going from €24 to €27.60.
Fares in the wider Dublin Commuter Zone will generally increase by around 15%. Similar increases are being introduced nationally, including on Bus Éireann, Intercity rail and Local Link services, although some child fares will fall. Intercity Express fares will rise by around 10%, while Economy fares will increase by between 8% and 21%.
The 50% Young Adult and Student discount will remain, as will free travel for children under nine and people eligible for the Free Travel Scheme.
The NTA says this is the first general increase in PSO fares in eight years. It argues that higher fare revenue is needed alongside State funding to meet increased operating costs and support expansion of the public transport network. The authority says fares will still be around 8% lower than they were eight years ago, while inflation has risen by 20.8% since 2022.
The increases have already attracted criticism. Opposition politicians have called for them to be stopped, arguing that raising public transport costs during a cost-of-living crisis could discourage people from switching from cars to buses and trains.
The new fares are due to be introduced during 2027, with implementation dates to be agreed with individual operators. From 2027 onwards, the NTA also plans to review public transport fares annually.
For more details, see the NTA’s 2026 Fares Determination, which sets out the new fare structure and provides a full breakdown of the prices that will apply across different public transport services.