Fares for Luas journeys are to increase by 6.6 per cent from today, with adult single tickets getting the biggest rise with an extra 10 cent on fares regardless of the length of journey.
All Luas fares have been increased, with the exception of child fares and SmartCard fares. The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has decided to keep these at 2007 prices to encourage passengers to stop buying tickets at platform ticket machines and switch to the pre-paid cards.
The 10 cent increase applies to adult single peak-time and adult return fares. Adult seven-day fares are rising by between 40 cent and 60 cent, while adult 30-day fares are increasing by between €1.70 and €2. Student fares are being increased by between 30 cent and 50 cent for seven-day tickets, and between €1.30 and €2 for 30-day tickets.
Adults can save up to 30 cent a trip by buying SmartCards, according to the RPA. Yet most passengers still buy single tickets from platform machines, which is the most expensive ticket option.
Labour transport spokesman Tommy Broughan said single ticket prices had been significantly increased, and this must be reflected in an improved service.
"There have been ongoing complaints from many commuters on both the Red and Green lines about the Luas's capacity, especially at peak times. Often the trams are so packed at these busy times, especially on the Green Line, that passengers simply cannot get on to the Luas."
He said passengers had also complained that there was no facility to buy tickets on board trams.
The lack of an integrated ticketing system across all forms of public transport was an "appalling failure" of the system.
