Bus fares fall from today

The cost of living crisis prompted action from Government.

Bus fares are falling by an average of 20% from today.

Bus Éireann and Local Link services in Cavan are included in the plan, announced by Transport Minister Eamon Ryan in February. It was included in a package of measures announced to help mitigate the rising cost of living.

Following the cut, which comes into place on all services from today, a trip from Cavan to Virginia on Bus Éireann, using a leap card, will cost €6.16. That’s down from the previous price of €7.70.

However, the company’s Expressway services are not included as these are commercial services operated by Bus Éireann. This includes the 30 and X30 routes to and from Cavan.

Passengers on TFI Local Link services will also see their fares drop by 20%. This includes the three routes in the Cavan town area and the 929 commuter service. The Cavan-Monaghan 176 route and Monaghan town services will also see their fares drop.

The news comes as Cavan town's bus station looks set to reopen this summer.

The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD said: “We want to make it easier for people to be able to choose public transport throughout the country and I am delighted that this saving of 20% off public transport costs is now being implemented for commuters across regional cities and towns particularly.

“People are coming under more and more pressure as the price of essentials continues to increase. As one element of a suite of measures being introduced by the government, this fare reduction will go some way to easing some of the financial strain that households are experiencing.”

He’s encouraged people to choose public transport for journeys and commuting, rather than the private car, as this would help in the bid to reduce carbon emissions.

Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA said: “Value for money is not the only factor that gets people on to public transport, but it is an important one, and we do know that reducing fares will make public transport more attractive to more people.

“We’re appreciative of the support that the Government has given us, that has enabled us to make public transport even more affordable. I am confident that as a result, we will see the number of passenger journeys on these services increase in the months ahead.”