The National Transport Authority (NTA) has announced a revised national fare structure for Public Service Obligation (PSO) services across Ireland, which will see adult fares increase by an average of 15% starting in January 2027. The updated pricing will apply across services operating under the Transport for Ireland network, including Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland, and TFI Local Link.

Under the new framework, the 90-minute Leap Card fare in Dublin will increase from €2 to €2.30, while short-distance Leap fares on Dublin Bus, Luas, and DART will rise from €1.50 to €2. Daily and weekly adult Leap caps in Dublin will adjust upward to €6.90 and €27.60, respectively. Nationally, Intercity Express rail fares are set to rise by approximately 10%, while Economy rail fares will increase between 8% and 21%. Conversely, several child fares in regional towns and cities will see reductions under the revised scheme.

Key concessionary travel policies will remain unchanged. Free travel for children up to their ninth birthday, free travel for individuals aged 66 and older, and eligibility under the Free Travel Scheme will be preserved. The 50% discount for young adults and students will also stay in place. According to the NTA, almost 1.5 million people in Ireland—representing about 27% of the population—currently benefit from free travel or age-related fare concessions.

The NTA stated that the adjustment represents the first general review of PSO transport fares since 2018. The authority highlighted that despite the upcoming increases, overall fares will remain approximately 8% lower than they were eight years ago due to price reductions introduced in 2022 as part of government cost-of-living measures. The NTA added that the 15% average increase remains below the 20.8% cumulative inflation rate recorded since 2022, and that additional fare revenue is required alongside state subsidies to cover rising operational costs and support network expansion.

The announcement drew prompt criticism from political opposition figures. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman called on the government to halt the proposed increases, describing the move as a "slap in the face" to commuters during a cost-of-living crisis. Opposition representatives argued that raising public transport costs conflicts with climate objectives and economic supports, calling on ministers to intervene before the changes take effect in 2027.