Translink Fares to Remain Unchanged for Second Consecutive Year

Public transport fares operated by Translink will stay the same for a second year running, following a decision by Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins.

The minister acknowledged the move comes at a time of financial pressure for the transport provider, particularly as operating costs continue to rise. According to the NI Consumer Council, diesel prices in Northern Ireland have increased by nearly 40% since the outbreak of conflict involving Iran. While Translink has mitigated some of this impact through fuel hedging—purchasing fuel in advance at lower prices—cost pressures remain.

A spokesperson for Translink said the organisation manages fuel expenditure carefully using hedging strategies similar to other operators, helping to reduce exposure to short-term market fluctuations. However, they cautioned that ongoing global instability is likely to push up the cost of fuel and materials over time. The company has also been reducing its reliance on diesel, with more buses now powered by electricity.

Balancing Costs and Demand

Kimmins said her priority was to support passengers during a challenging economic period while continuing to work with Translink to manage financial pressures responsibly.

“People are facing financial strain across the board,” she said in an interview. “Raising fares could discourage people from using public transport.”

She suggested that keeping prices steady may actually benefit Translink by attracting more passengers. Following last year’s fare freeze, the company experienced record levels of passenger growth. Encouraging increased usage, she argued, could help strengthen demand for existing services.

While recognising the financial challenges facing the organisation, Kimmins maintained that avoiding fare increases was the right decision to prevent placing additional strain on households.

Passenger Perspectives

Regular commuters have mixed views on the cost of travel. Erin Crozier and Katie Quinn, who travel frequently between Newry and Belfast, said fares can be high, especially for students. Although they qualify for discounted single fares through the yLink scheme, they noted that return tickets often offer better value overall.

Crozier described bus fares as expensive, particularly for those on tight budgets, while Quinn said her £13.10 return ticket felt costly but manageable as long as prices do not rise further.

David Gibson, who occasionally travels by train from Bangor to Belfast, said he found fares “expensive enough” and was frustrated by the lack of flexibility when purchasing return tickets across different days. He suggested that other European cities offer more adaptable ticketing options. Despite this, he praised the service for its reliability and cleanliness.

Margie, visiting from Scotland, compared Northern Ireland’s fares unfavourably with those in other European cities. She described prices as “very high” and said cheaper, last-minute ticket options elsewhere make public transport more appealing.

Ongoing Financial Pressures

Despite a recovery in passenger numbers following the pandemic—particularly on Belfast’s Glider service—Translink continues to face budget constraints. The company required additional government support during the pandemic when usage dropped significantly and has since relied in part on its financial reserves to maintain services.

Kimmins acknowledged the difficult financial environment, noting that the decision to freeze fares again was not taken lightly.

“There are no easy choices in the current budget climate,” she said. “However, increasing fares would add further pressure on workers and families, and I do not believe that is the right approach.”

Translink remains publicly owned but operates independently of the Department for Infrastructure. The minister said she would continue working with the organisation to balance financial sustainability with maintaining accessible and reliable services for passengers.