Record numbers used public transport last year with journeys up almost 11%
Seán McCárthaigh
A new record for passenger numbers was set on State-subsidised public transport services last year with overall journeys up almost 11 per cent to 343.6 million.
New figures published by the National Transport Authority show passenger numbers across Public Service Obligation (PSO) services reached an all-time high in 2024 with almost 33 million additional journeys compared to 2023.
The NTA said the significant growth in passenger numbers last year marked the second consecutive year of record-breaking figures.
It observed that the level of public transport usage has not only recovered from the pandemic but now exceeds pre-2019 levels.
Associated revenue increased by €28.4 million to €552.1 million – an annual increase of over 5 per cent.
The NTA said the figures represent “a significant milestone for public transport usage” in Ireland which had been reinforced by the announcement last October that daily journeys had surpassed one million trips per day to set a further record.
Separately, other official figures show the proportion of passengers using public transport for going to work and study increased to 40 per cent last year from 38 per cent in 2023.
Figures published in the latest annual report of the NTA show passenger journeys on Dublin Bus routes were up almost 9 per cent annually to 159 million journeys with 13 million extra trips.
The number of passenger journeys on the Bus Éireann network increased from 43.1 million in 2023 to 46 million last year, while GoAhead Ireland which operates bus services in the greater Dublin region recorded growth in passenger journeys grew from 18.7 million in 2023 to 22.5 million last year – an increase of 20 per cent.
Passenger numbers on the Luas Red and Green Line services also broke new records with journeys up 12 per cent to 54 million in 2024 from 48.2 million the previous year.
Numbers using Iarnród Éireann services including Dart grew by almost 10 per cent to 50.6 million journeys – 4.5 million journeys more than in 2023.
The fast-expanding network of Transport for Ireland’s Local Link services in rural areas saw the number of passenger journeys rise by almost 47 per cent to 4.7 million against a background of 45 new and enhanced services.
NTA interim chief executive Hugh Creegan welcomed the record figures using public transport but also admitted that despite much improvement there were still some issues in relation to the reliability and punctuality of PSO bus services.
However, Mr Creegan said the NTA and public transport operators were working tirelessly to resolve such issues.
He noted that a record number of new driver licences for small public service vehicles including taxis and hackneys were also issued last year. The number of new licence holders increased from 384 in 2023 to 657 last year – an increase of 71 per cent.
Mr Creegan said the NTA would continue to advance initiatives that reduce the need for personal car journeys as well as promoting sustainable transport choices and enhancing the efficiency and environmental performance of existing transport modes.
“To achieve our goals, we will invest further in active travel infrastructure, delivering new cycling and walking routes nationwide to encourage more people to choose active travel,” he added.
