Sinn Féin's transport spokesperson, Pa Daly TD, said he will bring a Private Member's Motion before the Dáil tomorrow calling on the Government to scrap planned public transport fare hikes and to introduce free travel for all under-18s.

Teachta Daly said: "Raising public transport fares while ordinary workers and families are already squeezed by the cost of living is the wrong decision. At a time when families are struggling with soaring housing costs, rising energy bills and everyday expenses, the Government is asking commuters to pay more for less – services that were promised but never delivered, overcrowding, cancellations, reliability issues and major gaps in coverage.

"These fare hikes are a slap in the face to commuters. The last thing they need is another hit to their pockets every time they get on a bus or train.

"It is outrageous that the Government expects workers, students and families to pay more for public transport, while CEOs get large salary hikes and millions is squandered on failed projects and costly overruns without consequence.

"When waste is tolerated at the top, the solution should not be to raid commuters' pockets. Yet that is exactly what these fare hike amounts to. "Simon Harris says he wants a budget for people who get up early. Well, those people are the commuters on packed buses and trains every morning. Instead of helping them, this Government is hitting them with higher fares.

"What makes these increases even more outrageous is that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has admitted that higher fares will reduce passenger numbers. The Government says it wants people out of their cars and onto public transport, yet it is actively pricing people out of using busses and trains.

"Once again, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have shown that their priorities are completely wrong. Instead of making public transport more affordable and accessible, they're making passengers pay the price for their failures.

"Sinn Féin believes the answer is straightforward: scrap these fare hikes and show ambition by investing in better services and making public transport free for all under-18s. No child should be denied access to education, sport, healthcare or social activities because their family cannot afford public transport fares.

"The money is there – what is missing is political will. Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will stand up for commuters, stand up for families and demand a public transport system that is affordable, reliable and accessible for everyone."