Commuters across the Greater Dublin Area are adjusting to a major shift in public transport pricing after Transport for Ireland (TFI) introduced a new fare zone system on 28 April.
The reform replaces the long-standing Short Hop Zone with a broader model known as the Dublin, Commuter Zone, dividing the region into four distinct zones and changing fares for thousands of daily passengers.
The newly introduced zones span outward from Dublin City, with Zone 1 covering the capital and nearby suburbs like Bray, Howth and Maynooth. Zone 2 includes areas such as Donabate, Skerries, and Greystone, while Zones 3 and 4 reach further afield to towns including Drogheda, Newbridge, Wicklow and as far as Kildare Town and Rathdrum.
According to TFI, the goal is to simplify fare structures and encourage people to use transport more often.
“The NTA will continue to work to make fares as simple and consistent as possible. In today’s determination, we have seen some fares go up slightly and some come down,” Annie Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority, said in a statement,
Malahide train station. Photo: Mia Daly
“Overall fare revenue will increase by less than 2%, which is in line with inflation, so this is certainly not a revenue-generating exercise,” she said.
Reactions to the changes have been mixed. Some commuters are welcoming the shift, while others say they’re being hit with unexpected price hikes.
Michael O’Shea, who travels from Maynooth to Dublin city, said the change has had a positive impact on his commute. “This has actually worked in my favour,” he said. “The new zones have made my commute more affordable, and that adds up when you’re travelling five days a week for work.”
Others haven’t been as fortunate. Siún O’Connor, a Trinity College student commuting from Donabate, said the fare increases caught her off guard. “As a student, every euro counts,” she said. “My commute falls into Zone 2 now, and honestly, the fare increase stings. I wish there was more support for students outside of the central areas.”
Hannah Samways, who lives in Howth and works full time in Dublin City, said she hasn’t seen much benefit either. “On paper, the new fare zones seem like a good change, but I haven’t noticed much of a difference in my daily costs,” she said.
“Being in Zone 1 helps, but the prices haven’t dropped in a way that particularly helps full-time workers like me.”
Marc Doyle, a TU Dublin student from Malahide, said he’s still trying to figure out whether the changes are positive or negative. “The Leap card makes things easier, especially the 90-minute fare, but Malahide being in Zone 1 or 2 feels like a grey area,” he said. “I just hope it evens out.”
The 90-minute fare allows commuters to travel on Dublin Bus, Luas, and Dart services within 90 minutes for a single price. This remains in place for Zone 1. It still costs €2.00 for adults, €1.00 for students and young adults, and only €0.65 for children.
Daily and weekly caps have also been altered to match the new system, with caps applied across different modes of transport to encourage smooth travel.
Leap card in use. Photo: TFI
While areas further from the city, particularly in Zones 3 and 4, have seen noticeable fare reductions, some towns that sit on the outskirts of Zone 2, such as Skerries and Balbriggan, have experienced increases. For example, a Leap Card fare from Skerries to Dublin has jumped from €3.00 to €3.90, an increase that hasn’t gone unnoticed by regular commuters,
Although the zone overhaul’s long-term effects are still unknown, it is evident that TFI’s efforts to modernise and standardise the system have had a significant influence on everyday commuters throughout the area.
Commuters are urged to visit the TFI website for additional information about the changes.