Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has criticised the National Transport Authority's plans to increase public transport fares and called on Government to stop the increases, particularly at a time when Wicklow commuters are already dealing with a cost of living crisis
This follows the NTA’s announcement that adult fares will increase by an average of 15% nationally, with the changes applying across the Transport for Ireland (TFI) network, including services operated by Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI Local Link.
Speaking today, Teachta Brady said:
“The decision by Government to increase fares for bus and rail services is a slap in the face to Wicklow commuters who rely on public transport every day.
“People across Wicklow are already dealing with a cost of living crisis across all essential services, and are already paying a significant price simply to get to work, education and go about their daily business.
“Many are forced to endure overcrowded, unreliable and inadequate public transport services, and now the NTA and Government are telling them they will have to pay even more for those services.
“Fare increases are not acceptable, particularly when Government should be doing everything it can to incentivise people to use public transport as a real alternative to private cars.
“Increasing fares at a time when Government is failing to deliver the additional capacity and reliable services that commuters desperately need is simply unacceptable.
“The Government clearly has its priorities all wrong.
“Earlier this year they approved massive pay increases for the CEOs of public transport companies whilst also confirming that no new public transport services will be delivered in 2026 due to a lack of funding.
“This at a time when we are seeing massive levels of wasteful spending across the public transport system.
“Irish Rail has written down €50 million following serious problems in its development of a new Traffic Management System for the rail network.
“€11 million has been spent on the Fassaroe Park and Ride facility which is substantially complete but cannot open because Government failed to put in place the funding for the required bus services.
“And 98 taxpayer-funded, double-deck electric buses, worth €58.3 million remain sitting idle in storage due to the continued failure to deliver the charging infrastructure needed to bring them into service.
“Against this backdrop, it is incredible that Government is increasing fares.
“Wicklow commuters are being asked to pay more while being offered no meaningful improvement in the services they depend on. That is simply not good enough.
“The Minister for Transport must stop these fare increases coming into place in January.
“Wicklow commuters deserve better than overcrowded services, poor reliability and ever-increasing fares.
“If Government genuinely wants people to leave their cars at home and use public transport, it needs to make that choice affordable, reliable and accessible.”
ENDS