WATCH: 'Public transport is already too expensive' - Laois commuters react to fare hikes

Public transport passengers across Laois and the rest of the country are set to face higher fares, with bus and train prices expected to increase by an average of around 15% for adults in 2027.

The changes, sanctined by the National Transport Authority, will not affect every passenger equally. Some individual fares could rise by around 30 per cent, while fares for some children and young adults will actually decrease.

One of the headline changes will see the TFI 90-minute fare increase from €2 to €2.30. Free travel for children under nine and eligible older people will continue.

For passengers in Laois, the changes will be particularly relevant to commuters using rail services from stations including Portlaoise and Portarlington, as well as those relying on local and regional bus services.

The fare increases come as the cost of running Ireland's public transport network continues to rise. The State provided €940 million this year to support Public Service Obligation services, which are routes that cannot operate commercially on fares alone.

The Government has also introduced a number of measures to keep public transport affordable, including discounts for young adults and students. However, the growing cost of subsidising services has led to calls for passengers to contribute more through fares.

The move is likely to prove controversial, particularly amid ongoing concerns about the cost of living. Critics may also argue that higher fares could discourage people from using public transport at a time when the Government is trying to reduce car dependency and emissions.

The Government has previously said that expanding public transport requires a sustainable funding model, with Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien indicating that fare increases could not be ruled out.

The new fares are expected to come into effect in 2027. For passengers in Laois, the actual impact will depend on their route and ticket type, with further details expected as the changes are implemented.

Laois Live visited Portlaoise train station yesterday to hear from regular commuters about the proposed fare increases and how the changes could affect those who rely on public transport.

Mack, from Portlaoise, is a regular user of the train station and said she did not believe the increase was fair, particularly given the current cost of living.

“I don’t think it's right really, there is already a really high demand for public transport especially in rural areas here and with the cost of living going up and wages being pretty stagnant I do not think it is fair to raise what a lot of people use to get into work and town.”

Mack also compared Ireland's public transport costs with those in other European countries.

“When you look at other places in Europe they have comparably really low public transport costs, I think in places like the Netherlands it's free, especially in the major cities for people to commute. Which realistically is the way it should be I think there should be some sort of budget put aside for reducing the cost of commuting for a lot of people because it is a really important part of a lot of peoples day, if you even look at the train station here it is always constantly busy, there are so many people that commute to Dublin and use the buses here that only came in a year or two ago. I think raising the cost of transport really is not benefiting anything, especially for the people who are using it because it is the people (government) who aren't using public transport who are doing that.”

When asked if the increased fares would make her consider driving instead, Mack said the cost of public transport had already made her consider the option.

“The fares as they are have already made me consider driving, a lot of rural buses are privately owned. If you want to get somewhere like Mountrath in Laois it is costing like €10 … public transport is also quite inconsistent… which makes you think it would be worth my time to just drive but fuel prices are expensive as well so it is a loss on either end really.”

Laois Live also spoke to Robert at Portlaoise station, who was returning from Dublin with a companion. He said he already felt the cost of public transport was high.

“I already thought the public transport fees were high. To travel to and back from Dublin was €50 for the two of us and that is quite a lot.”

He added: “I think public transport is already too expensive like everything in Ireland.”

Another regular public transport user, Dominick, also shared his thoughts on the proposed increases. He said the changes could encourage more people to use Leap Cards, particularly given the discounts available to young adults.

“This will probably incentivise more people to get a Leap Card, because right now I am on the young adult one, so 50 per cent off so it is manageable with increases it is still manageable but if you do not have a leap card it might be really rough for you I’d say.”

When asked whether he believed public transport fares should be increasing during a cost-of-living crisis, Dominick said he did not agree with the move.

“No I don’t, I do not know why it is going up. I think it is quite expensive, even with the leap card I am topping it up every few trips.”

The reaction from commuters highlights the wider debate surrounding the fare increases, with passengers facing higher costs while the Government seeks to balance the affordability of public transport with the growing expense of running and expanding the network.

For regular commuters in Laois, the key issue will ultimately be how much their individual journeys cost once the new fares come into effect.