New Bus Fare Structure Introduced in Dublin with Changes to Pricing and Zoning

New bus fare changes will take effect from Monday for Bus Éireann and Go-Ahead Ireland services in Dublin and surrounding areas. The changes are part of a new Transport For Ireland (TFI) zonal structure, which will result in some fares decreasing, some increasing, and some remaining unchanged. Leap card customers will have new daily, weekly, and monthly offerings based on zones, covering journeys within a 50km radius of Dublin city centre. The changes aim to make fares fairer and more consistent.

Starting Monday, June 16, 2025, Bus Éireann and Go-Ahead Ireland services in Dublin and surrounding areas will see significant changes in their bus fares. The updates are part of a new Transport For Ireland (TFI) zonal structure aimed at making fares fairer and more consistent.

The new system, which aligns with the recently introduced rail fare changes, divides the area into four zones based on proximity to the city centre. These zones are: Zone 1 (within 23km of central Dublin), Zone 2 (including areas like Blessington, Gormanston, Skerries, Kilcock, Sallins, and Naas), Zone 3 (covering Drogheda, Enfield, Newbridge, and Wicklow Town), and Zone 4 (including areas like Navan, Kildare Town, and Rathdrum).

For Zone 1, the "TFI 90-minute fare" will remain at €2 for adults, €1 for young adults/students, and €0.65 for children using Leap cards. For Dublin commuter bus services operated by Bus Éireann and Go-Ahead, the fare for zone 1 travel will be €2.40 for adults and €1.20 for young adults, students, and children using Leap cards.

Zone 2 will have a fare of €3.70 for adults and €1.85 for young adults, students, and children. Zone 3 will cost €5.30 for adults and €2.65 for young adults, students, and children. Zone 4 will have adult fares at €6.30 and €3.15 for young adults, students, and children.

Leap card customers will also benefit from new daily, weekly, and monthly offerings based on zones. The weekly cap for travel in all four zones for an Adult Leap Card is €67.20. Monthly tickets for Zone 1 are priced at €96 per adult and €48 per young adult/child. Annual tickets for Zone 1 are priced at €960.

The changes aim to make the fare system more equitable and easier to understand. Some fares will decrease, some will increase, and some will remain unchanged. Payment by Leap card offers the best available value for commuters.

[1] https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-commuters-leap-card-fares-changing-busses-next-week-6727953-Jun2025/
[2] https://www.buseireann.ie/news/gda-fares
[3] https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/06/09/tfi-bus-fare-changes-see-how-journey-prices-will-change-in-your-area/