With the planned increase in NTA Public Transport Fares next January there has been outcry from many opposing the proposed increases as cost of living continues to eat into family incomes. Diego Keegan PC has issued a statement calling on the government to rethink and stop the planned increases. Diego Keegan PC said:
“The increase to adult fares for public transport, which will take effect from January 2027 is very concerning for commuters across Navan and Johnstown. For many people, public transport is not a choice or a luxury, it is their only way of getting to and from work, medical appointments and accessing education. Increasing the cost of those journeys places an additional burden on people who can least afford it.
“Hundreds of people across Navan and Johnstown use bus services every day and it is particularly frustrating for them to see fares rise when passengers are already dealing with services that can be overcrowded, unreliable or simply not frequent enough. Asking people to pay more without delivering the improvements they need is adding insult to injury.
“At a time when Government should be encouraging people to leave their cars at home and use public transport, making public transport more expensive risks pushing people in the opposite direction.
“Navan town local link bus fares are to increase by 10% for Leap adult and 15% for those paying cash, while student/young adult fares on these routes are to be priced at 50% of the equivalent adult fare.
“People are already feeling the squeeze, these increases will add up and commuters will be left worse off for it. The Government and the NTA should be looking at how they can make public transport more accessible to communities like Navan and Johnstown, not placing another financial barrier in front of commuters.
“Sinn Féin has called for the Minister for Transport to stop these increases from coming into place in January and ensure that there is adequate funding for the expansion and delivery of public transport services across the state.
Above; Diego Keegan PC pictured with Sinn Féin Johnny Guirke TD
