Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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342. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to increase fares on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11986/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.

In their capacity as fare regulator, on the 27th of April 2023, the NTA published a new National Fares Strategy, and following this on the 18th of January 2024 they published the first of a series of Fares Determination related to the strategy.

The most significant change in the fare determination was the implementation of a new ‘Dublin Commuter Zone’ (extending from the outer edge of the Dublin City Zone to approximately 50 km from the centre of Dublin), with simplified Leap capping, as well as changes to some Intercity Rail and town bus fares. This represents a more consistent and equitable fares approach, and one that is easier for customers to understand. It is the NTA’s intention to roll out further changes in future determinations during 2025.

Further, the Government recently confirmed its commitment to improving public transport under the new Programme for Government (PFG)- Securing Ireland’s Future and is backing up that commitment with significant investments across the bus and rail network. Specifically included in the PFG are commitments to:

• Roll out contactless fare payments on all public transport and keep fares low and affordable; and
• Examine the further expansion of free public transport for children.