Laois Senator says ‘no’ to proposed transport fare increases

Public transport fare hikes are another hit on Laois commuters argues Laois Senator Maria McCormack

“People in Laois who rely on public transport to get to work, college or simply go about their daily lives are being asked to pay more again.

The NTA has announced significant increases in public transport fares from 2027, at a time when workers and families are already struggling with the cost of living.

For the thousands of people travelling from Portlaoise and across Laois to Dublin, this matters. These are people getting up early every morning, commuting to work and already paying substantial amounts just to get there.

What I find particularly frustrating is the decision to remove Open Return rail tickets. For commuters and families who need flexibility around when they travel home, this is a backwards step.

We cannot tell people that we want them to leave their cars at home and use public transport, and then make that public transport more expensive and less flexible.

My colleague and Sinn Féin Transport spokesperson Pa Daly TD has called on the Government to intervene and stop these increases, and I fully support that call. 

Only last week we forced Government to back down on planned petrol and diesel increases. Now people who choose public transport are facing another hit.

Whether you drive to work or take the train or bus, ordinary working people cannot continually be the ones expected to pick up the bill.

The Minister for Transport needs to intervene. These fare increases should not go ahead.”