No fare rise on Cork city buses – but all trains to see increase

Public transport fares across the country are set to increase by 15% from January, though Cork city buses will not be impacted following fare increases earlier this summer.

An NTA spokesperson confirmed there will be no changes to fares on Cork city bus services: “Adult, young adult and child fares will remain at €1.70, 85c, and 55c respectively, with daily and weekly fare caps also unchanged. The current cash single fares of adult €2.40 and child €0.80 will also be retained.”

Cork bus fares increased in June when the 90-minute fare was brought in, with Leap Card fares moving from €1.35 or €1.55, to €1.70, while cash fares rose from €1.90 or €2.20 to €2.40.

The national increases will, however apply to buses outside of the city, as well as trains, as the NTA say they apply to cash and Leap Card fares on Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, TFI Local Link, Luas, Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland services, though some child fares will reduce.

A joint statement by the Cork, Galway, Dublin, Limerick, and Drogheda Commuter Coalitions said: “In recent days, the Government has extended cuts to excise duty on petrol and diesel, a measure which amounts to a cost of over €2m a day. In effect what is being asked is for those who use public transport to cover this astounding cost.

“As you cram onto a crowded train or get passed by a full bus in the rain this winter, remember that the Government is glad to raise your fares and to use the money they promised you for service improvements on the petrol that you don’t burn.”

Cork North Central Labour TD Eoghan Kenny said: “People across Cork are being told to use public transport more, but at the same time they are being asked to pay more for a system that still falls far short of what our growing city and county need.”

He said the Cork to Mallow train is hugely important: “We should be making that commute more affordable and increasing frequency and capacity, not putting another cost on passengers.”