Planned increase in bus fares in Waterford next year is ‘very significant’
Waterford TD Conor McGuinness has received new figures from the Department of Transport in relation to the increase
The planned increase to bus fares in Waterford from the start of next year is “very significant”, a local TD has said.
Sinn Féin TD Conor McGuinness spoke on the subject after receiving new figures from the Department of Transport in relation to the increase.
The figures reveal that the standard Waterford Leap Card fare will increase from €1.35 to €1.70 from January 2027 — an increase of 26 per cent.
Deputy McGuinness said: “These new figures confirm the real scale of the fare increase facing Waterford passengers.
“The information I have received from the Minister shows that the increase for those paying the standard fare is 26 per cent.
“That is a very significant increase, particularly for people who rely on public transport every day.”
He continued by highlighting the impact that this increase will have on household budgets and also outlined delays to the delivery of improved bus services.
“We are already being contacted by constituents who are concerned about the impact this will have on their household budgets.”
“As my colleague David Cullinane TD has highlighted, this comes in the context of Waterford still waiting for the investment and improvements promised under BusConnects, including better frequency and connectivity.
“People are being asked to pay substantially more for a public transport system that still has significant gaps in the service being provided.”
Deputy McGuinness concluded by saying that people shouldn’t have to pay for improvements that haven’t been made.
“The Minister also confirms that the new flat €1.70 fare is a prerequisite for introducing a 90-minute fare in Waterford. But there is still no clear date for when that will happen.
“Waterford passengers should not be expected to pay more now for improvements that remain some way down the road.
“We need affordable fares alongside the investment and better services that passengers have been waiting for.”