Send the Message - Stop the Fare Hikes

Joint release Issued by: 

Dublin Commuter Coalition

Galway Commuter Coalition

Cork Commuter Coalition

Limerick Commuter Coalition

Drogheda Commuter Coalition

Template email to contact TD’s can be found here: https://galwaycommuters.ie/fares/

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In response to the recent announcement from the National Transport Authority; the Commuter Coalitions of Cork, Galway, Drogheda, Limerick and Dublin have today launched the “Send the Message - Stop the Fare Hikes” campaign, which calls on public transport users to contact their local TD’s and demand Government maintain the existing fares.

Given the growing cost of living, and environmental crisis’, against the backdrop of ever increasing congestion in our towns and villages. The decision to make it prohibitively expensive to travel sustainably is a step in the wrong direction. Government seems content in underfunding the NTA’s annual budget, which has seen transport expansion effectively stop over the last year and the fare hike is unlikely to see that change.

The Department of Public Expenditure has clearly demonstrated they can find additional funding when it comes to subsidising fossil fuels for private motorists and are now discussing extending gas subsidies to data centres. Unfortunately, they seem unwilling to make the same financial accommodations for people doing their part to reduce our national carbon footprint. 

Public transport users won’t hold the country to ransom by blocking critical infrastructure, but they can exert political pressure by inundating their local representatives with their personal story of how the fare hikes will impact them.

In the coming weeks ahead of budget 2027, commuters can expect to see campaigners at bus stops, LUAS stops and train stations across the country's major cities. Collectively we can change this decision but we must act now: “Send the Message - Stop the Fare Hike”.

Galway Commuter Chairperson; Cathal Lawlor said:

“For those who’ve never contacted their representatives, there is a template letter on galwaycommuters.ie/fares which also provides you with the matching TDs for your constituency.

These fare hikes amount to 26% for adult fares on Galway City bus services, going up to 30% for our large population of students and young adults. This is not just a slap in the face for public transport users but also for local businesses with 40% of shoppers in Galway City travelling by bus. This fare hike will have far reaching impacts in Galway, pushing more people back into cars which is the last thing Galway’s chronic congestion problems need.”

Dublin Commuter Coalition Chairperson; Jason Cullen said:

“It’s outrageous that public transport has been underfunded so badly, that campaign groups are required to take to the streets and demand that Government keep sustainable travel affordable.

With Budget 2027 around the corner, any tax relief measures Government are intending to give working people and students has already been completely wiped out by making their daily journey prohibitively expensive.”

Cork Commuter Coalition Chairperson; Ciarán Meers adds:

“These fare increases are not being accompanied by improvements to public transport, but instead by delays and cutbacks to critical infrastructure projects like BusConnects and the Luas Cork.”

Limerick Commuter Coalition Spokesperson; Aislínn Kelly said:

“The fare increases will place further financial pressure on Limerick commuters already struggling with the cost of living, while promised improvements to the city’s public transport network continue to face delays. With the rollout of BusConnects Limerick still awaited, passengers are being asked to pay more before seeing the improved frequency, reliability and connectivity they have been promised.”

The “Send the Message - Stop the Fare Hike” campaign is supported by:

Sinn Féin

Green Party

Labour

People Before Profit

Social Democrats

Doctors for the Environment

Irish Cycling Campaign

AMLÉ

UCC Students’ Union

UCD Students’ Union

DCU Students’ Union

TCD Students’ Union

UOG Students’ Union