Public transport fares are to rise in January following the reduction in State funding announced by the Government earlier this week.
Dublin Bus fares are set to go up by an average of 15 per cent, while Luas fares are set to jump by an average of 6.3 per cent, with single fares increasing by 10 cents.
Bus Éireann fares will increase by 5.4 per cent, while commuter and local service tickets are increasing by 5 per cent for weekly tickets and by 3 per cent for annual tax-saver tickets.
Dart fares are to rise by 6 per cent on average and Inner Commuter service tickets will increase by 6.7 per cent.
Iarnród Éireann’s proposals for inter-city rail service fare increases are yet to be agreed but will be confirmed by the end of this month.
Cheaper fares will be available through the new integrated transport ticket known as the Leap card, which is to be made available from Monday onwards.
The card - which has been in development for a number of years - offers a 9 per cent saving on Dublin Bus fares, up to 17 per cent off on certain Luas tickets, and between 16 and 19 per cent off on single Iarnród Éireann fares.
Former minister for public enterprise Mary O’Rourke first launched an integrated ticketing project for Dublin in May 1999. The Railway Procurement Agency took over the project in 2002 but it has taken till now for the project to finally come to fruition.
The Leap card will cost €5 to purchase and works in a similar fashion to existing Luas cards, which can be topped-up when required. Users will be able to top up Leap cards online, at Luas stops and at over 400 shops in Dublin.
Holders of Luas and Rail Smart cards can request a free Leap card at leapcard.ie
