Petition calls for fare hikes reversal and free public transport for all

People Before Profit's Conor Reddy is calling on the government not only to reverse planned transport fare increases but to start transitioning toward free public transport for all

Add to preferred sources News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 04:00, 05 Sep 2026 View Image Dublin public buses seen on O'Connell Bridge

As the government confirms that public transport fares will rise next year, one councillor is calling for them to be abolished altogether.

People Before Profit Councillor Conor Reddy has urged the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien to backtrack on their planned increases. With some fares due to increase by as much as 30%, he has described the measures as "outrageous and completely wrongheaded”.

“We should be moving in the opposite direction: making it cheaper and easier for people to get around - improving quality of life, cutting emissions and building a transport system that is more resilient in an increasingly unstable world,” the Ballymun-Finglas rep stated.

In opposition to the fare changes, Cllr Reddy has started a petition that first and foremost calls for a reversal of the increase and protects passengers from further price hikes. His next suggestion takes things further and calls for Ireland to transition toward free public transport on buses, trains, DART and Luas , all funded as an essential public service.

This suggestion is not within precedent, as proven by Luxembourg, which offers completely free, nationwide public transportation for residents, commuters, and tourists alike. This revolutionary decision assists with easing traffic congestion, reducing inequality and meeting climate targets.

Cllr Reddy is also pushing for the expansion of services so people can “genuinely rely on public transport”. “Scheduled services need to actually turn up, with the investment in vehicles, staffing and capacity needed to prevent cancellations and gaps in service,” he stated.

“At least double capital investment in public transport and fast-track the expansion of bus, rail, DART, Luas and Metro services across the country, alongside full implementation of the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review.

“Invest to make all stops and stations universally accessible. Invest in expansion of bus priority, safe walking and cycling connections, integrated services and park-and-ride facilities so that people can easily reach and use the public transport network wherever they live on this island.”

Cllr Reddy slammed the government for approving fare increases in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. “People are already paying too much for housing, food, energy and other essentials,” he said.

People travelling to work, college, school or medical appointments “should not mean more financial pressure” he said while highlighting how recent fuel price shocks have shown “how vulnerable we are in an increasingly unstable world”.

“Climate breakdown is accelerating, wars can disrupt energy supplies, and international crises can quickly push up the cost of petrol and diesel. We need to think seriously about long-term resilience, and that means giving people a public transport system they can actually rely on, no matter where they live in Ireland,” he said.

“Free, frequent and reliable public transport would cut household costs, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, lower emissions and improve quality of life. It would mean less time stuck in traffic, less money spent getting around, and more freedom for people without having to depend on a car and the expenses cars bring. “

When questioned on the decision to increase fares, Taoiseach Micheál Martin defended the measures stating the government is “not in a position to fund everything forever”. He said there was a requirement for a “sustainable funding model” that can support the “pressure points” caused by demand for new services around the country.

“We do need a sustainable funding program in respect of being in a position to continue to expand services and public transport into the future,” Mr Martin said.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Transport Authority Anne Shaw also defended the increase as necessary to "deliver the best possible public transport system for passengers". "This is the first general increase in PSO fares in eight years and is an important step in supporting continued investment in expanded services, increased capacity and enhanced connectivity across the country," she said.

"At the same time, almost 1.5 million people will continue to benefit from free travel or fare concessions, including children under nine, people aged 66 and over, and those eligible under the Free Travel Scheme, while the 50% Young Adult and Student Discount is being maintained. These changes strike a careful balance between keeping public transport affordable and ensuring we can continue building a larger, more accessible and better-connected network for communities across Ireland.”

Cllr Reddy’s ‘Stop the Fare Increases - Make Public Transport Free, Frequent and Accessible to All’ can be found here .

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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