The National Transport Authority (the Authority) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services as outlined in the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. The Act gives the Authority responsibility for setting public transport fares on contracted services.
November 2021 saw the implementation of the TFI 90 minute and “short” fares structure for Leap on bus, rail and Luas light rail services in the Dublin area. The TFI 90 minute fare is a vital element of the Dublin public transport network, eliminating penalties for transferring between public transport services across the Dublin network for those making a multi leg journey.
Move to a more equitable and consistent structure for all PSO public transport
In 2023, the Authority published its National Fares Strategy. A key objective of the Strategy is to move to a more equitable and consistent structure for all PSO public transport across Ireland. The Fares Strategy requires that PSO bus and rail fares should increase in line with distance travelled in a relatively uniform manner regardless of route used or geographic location.
The 2024 determination included the implementation of the first phase of the new National Fare Strategy in the Dublin region.
This formalised a new ‘Dublin City Zone’, extending to approximately 23 km from the centre of Dublin, encompassing the current area of validity of TFI 90 Leap Card travel (illustrated in Figure 1-1). It also introduced a new ‘Dublin Commuter Zone’ (extending from the outer edge of the Dublin City Zone to approximately 50 km from the centre of Dublin).
New Leap daily, weekly, monthly and annual products were introduced facilitating travel across the Dublin commuter area and multi-modal travel within the ‘Dublin City Zone’.
More recently in April 2025, the TFI-90 minute benefit was broadened so that the rail passengers commuting into Dublin from Commuter Zones can interchange to Dublin City Bus, Luas and eligible rail services within 90 minutes of tag on.
The implementation of the National Fare Strategy is ongoing with the Authority currently working towards the creation of ‘City Zones’ for each of the Regional Cities, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.
This Determination of Fares
This determination will introduce discounted child fares for the recently implemented Dublin Commuter Leap daily, weekly and monthly products. It will also address the price and structure of cash and Leap bus tickets and fares in Cork City & Suburbs. It will focus on the implementation of a new 90 minute fare supporting transfer between city bus services within Cork City & Suburbs which is expected to come into effect later in 2025. Further details are provided in the following sections of this report, including:
- Chapter 2 Dublin Commuter Zone Child Fares: outlines the determined child fares for the Dublin Commuter Leap zonal products;
- Chapter 3 Cork City Bus: outlines the fares for Cork City bus services along with details on the implementation of a new 90 minute ticket;
- Chapter 4 National Fares Strategy: provides an overview of the new National Fare Strategy and what it means for Cork.
