Fare hikes cannot be justified when State collects €6bn in transport related taxes

Independent Ireland TD Carol Nolan has said she will not be supporting the Government’s planned public transport fare increases, arguing that commuters are being asked to pay more despite the State already collecting more than €6 billion annually in transport-related taxation.

Deputy Nolan said the decision to increase fares comes at a time when families are already facing significant pressure from rising household costs and when many commuters continue to endure overcrowded, unreliable and inadequate or non-existent services:

“The Government is effectively asking the public to pay more for less. Commuters are facing fare increases while still dealing with delayed services, overcrowding, cancellations and poor connectivity across large parts of rural Ireland.”

She said that the State collects approximately €6 billion every year through fuel duties, carbon taxes, VAT on fuel, motor tax and vehicle registration tax alone, with the total rising further when tolls and other transport-related charges are included:

“Motorists and transport users already make an enormous contribution to the public finances. Even after accounting for Public Service Obligation (PSO) subsidies, the State still receives well over €5 billion annually in net transport-related revenue. The argument that ordinary commuters must be charged more because there is no money available simply does not stand up to scrutiny.”

The Offaly TD said the proposed fare increases of up to 15% send entirely the wrong signal at a time when Government policy is supposedly aimed at encouraging greater use of public transport and reducing congestion:

“If the objective is to get people out of their cars and onto buses and trains, increasing the cost of public transport is completely counterproductive. It is difficult to see how the Government can talk about climate targets and sustainable transport while simultaneously pricing people out of using the system.”

Deputy Nolan also highlighted the particular impact on rural communities, where public transport options are often limited or non-existent:

“Many people in rural Ireland do not enjoy the luxury of frequent bus or rail services. They are already paying substantial transport taxes through fuel duties and motor taxation because they have no alternative but to drive. Those who do use public transport should not now be expected to shoulder additional costs because of Government funding decisions.”

The Independent Ireland TD called on the Government to reverse the planned fare increases and instead prioritise delivering reliable, accessible and affordable transport services.

“The public are entitled to ask, as transport users who are already contributing billions of euro every year, why they are being asked to pay even more for services that continue to fall short of expectations? This fare increase should be scrapped,” Deputy Nolan concluded.