The National Transport Authority (NTA) today announced that 6% more passenger journeys were made across the Transport for Ireland (TFI) network in 2025 when compared to the previous year, reflecting the growing confidence and reliance that people across Ireland are placing in public transport.
Strong growth in 2025 patronage
The 2025 preliminary figures show a combined patronage of 363.5 million passenger journeys on services operated by Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, Luas, Go‑Ahead Ireland, and TFI Local Link, an increase of 6% or almost 20 million journeys over the 2024 total of 343.6 million journeys. This strong performance highlights a continuing shift towards sustainable travel and demonstrates how investment in the network is directly supporting communities nationwide.
Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann continue to serve major demand
Dublin Bus services remained the backbone of public transport in the capital, carrying 164 million passengers across their services. Bus Éireann served 53.6 million passengers, supporting towns and cities across the country. Go-Ahead services continued to see passenger growth with an 18% increase in journeys when compared to 2024, supporting 26 million customers.
Record year for rail and Luas
Iarnród Éireann delivered its strongest year ever in 2025, carrying 55 million passengers as demand continued to grow for intercity, commuter, and regional rail journeys.
Luas also celebrated a record‑breaking year, with over 55 million passenger journeys across the Red and Green lines.
Local and regional transport sees major increases
Local and regional transport also continued to grow. TFI Local Link services, including scheduled fixed route services and Demand Responsive Transport (DRT), recorded a combined 6.97 million passenger journeys, marking another record year with a 19% increase in passenger numbers. Town services likewise saw strong demand, with Carlow, Kilkenny and Portlaoise carrying 1.2 million passenger journeys. The launch of the new Portlaoise Town Service in 2025 has proven transformative for residents, providing frequent, reliable connections to work, school, healthcare and leisure services.
Major milestones in enhanced bus services
The year also saw major milestones in enhanced bus services. Two phases of BusConnects Dublin were introduced, delivering new 24-hour services, new connections, and better coverage for communities across the Greater Dublin Area.
Expansion of rural mobility through Connecting Ireland
In rural Ireland, the expansion of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan continued to strengthen local communities, with 37 new and enhanced services introduced across the country last year. Building on this progress, the launch of three TFI Anseo pilot services in Achill, Killarney and Limerick brought flexible, demand‑responsive transport bookable by app to three areas in the west of Ireland. These innovative services give passengers greater choice and control over their journeys, making it easier to travel when and where it suits them.
Public transport becoming a more convenient and sustainable choice
Across the network, the 2025 results demonstrate not just growth in numbers, but a shift in the way people choose to travel. More frequent services, new town routes, and better rural connectivity mean that public transport is becoming a more convenient, reliable and sustainable choice for passengers.
Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien commented on the figures saying: “These figures clearly show that our continued investment in public transport is delivering real benefits for people and communities across Ireland. More frequent services, better connections and new routes are enabling more people to choose sustainable travel every day. The Government remains committed to expanding and improving the Transport for Ireland network, ensuring that public transport is an affordable, reliable and attractive option for all, whether in our cities, towns or rural communities.”
TFI network helping passengers get to work, education, healthcare, and leisure
CEO of the National Transport Authority, Anne Shaw, added: “We are delighted to see such strong growth across the TFI network. These figures show just how important public transport has become in the daily lives of people and communities across Ireland. More passengers are choosing TFI because the network is helping them get to work, education, healthcare, and leisure with greater confidence and convenience. We will continue to work closely with our operators to support a network that responds to the needs of passengers and plays a central role in enabling sustainable travel nationwide.”
Further information
More information is available here on how the Transport for Ireland (TFI) network can support you on your journey.