Call to halt public transport fare hikes in Galway — ‘We are ripping people off’
Galway County Council is standing up against public transport fare increases along with four other local authorities around the country.
During a September meeting at Galway County Council, a motion was put forward in opposition to the planned increase in public transportation fares.
Councillor Geraldine Donohue presented the motion saying: “we are nonstop telling people to leave the cars at home and now we are ripping them off here.”
She also called for her chamber colleagues to meet with the Transport Minister to further express their opposition and request a halt to the increase.
The motion was seconded by Cllr Evelyn Parsons who pointed to the struggles in finding accommodation and how public transportation plays a key role in that availability.
Additionally, she said that the Government is “talking out of both sides of their mouths” when making a push for environmental sustainability away from car-focused cities.
Cllr Parsons added that this was a “timely motion” – which was unanimously approved by councillors.
Dublin County Council, Cork City Council, Limerick County Council and Galway City Council have all made similair requests to the Government.
Following the approval, the Galway Commuter Coalition said: “Affordable and accessible public transport is in the interests of all Galway people and is increasingly becoming vital for the economy and society of rural and urban Galway.”
Public transportation fares are expected to rise by 15pc from January 2027. © Dublin Bus
“The Coalition believes constant pressure from across the political spectrum will be essential to halting these proposed increases, as well as the notion of year-on-year increases coming in the future.”