Free travel and 'companion passes': what Budget 2025 means for commuters

Free public transport has been announced for children aged five to eight years of age, along with a 'Universal Companion Pass' for all over 70.

Children aged eight and under will now travel for free child fares on buses, trains, the DART and the luas under new Budget 2025 expansions.

The reduced fares on young adult and student leap cards continue to apply to the end of 2025.      

The new 'Universal Companion Pass' will allow people over 70 to bring a friend along on a journey for free. This initiative is particularly aimed at elderly people who may want a son or daughter to accompany them to medical appointments. Previously, medical documentation was required upon application for a pass, but it will now be available for all over 70.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has welcomed this announcement.

"I am delighted to announce that Budget 2025 provides funding for the expansion of free child fares on Public Service Obligation services to include those aged 5-8 years," he said.

"Our passenger numbers continue to grow and whenever we introduce a new service, we see that people, and particularly young people, are flocking to it.

"While we still have work to do, I think it will be very difficult to reverse the positive change in modal shift away from private cars that we have seen across the country in recent years, and the growing demand for a reliable public transport network that we’re seeing every day," Minister Ryan finished.

The Department of Transport has received an allocation of €3.9 billion in next year's budget, an increase of €480 million from Budget 2024.

The Government’s commitment to spend €1 million a day on walking and cycling infrastructure is also further secured in this budget. This funding includes expansion of ‘Safe Routes to Schools’ projects, making it safer for more children to walk or cycle to school.

The safety of all road users continues to be a government priority. Budget 2025 supports this aim with €1.36 billion for national and local road networks and road safety measures.

Included in this allocation is €988 million for the protection and renewal of the Irish road system. Of this, an additional €50 million is earmarked for regional and local roads, and will fund measures to improve road safety, climate adaptation and improve regional accessibility.  

A further €40 million will be provided to local authorities to support the roll-out of updated speed limit signs across all jurisdictions. Funding of over €308 million for new roads under the National Development Plan will increase connectivity across the entire country.

Meanwhile, the staff and volunteers of the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) will continue to be able to serve the Irish public in their time of most need with their Budget 2025 allocation. Their role in saving lives at sea is one that I salute and am eager to fully support.