All 13 Nitelink routes will reduce fares by 33 per cent when paying with a Leap card, and 43% when paying with cash.

Transport For Ireland (TFI) announced over the weekend that lower fares will be charged on Nitelink Bus services across Dublin. TFI said this lower fare comes as “demand for late-night transport is increasing as the night-time economy grows post-Covid”.

The adult fare for Nitelink is now three euro via cash and 2.40 euros via Leap card. The student and young adult rates is three euro via cash and 1.40 euros via Leap card.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan welcomed the reductions: “Dublin is a great, lively city to go out in at night and we have to make sure that it’s also a great city to get home in once that night out has come to an end.

“We are already seeing a significant uplift in the night-time economy post-Covid and I’m delighted that we can respond to this, with these new, attractive low fares, which really are hard to beat.”

Nitelink routes and 24 hour buses

The Department of Transport also recently announced that they are introducing two new 24 hour buses this autumn. The G1 and G2 buses primarily serve the areas around Ballyfermot, Clondalkin and Inchicore. The G1 begins at Spencer Dock before travelling through the city to Red Cow via New Nangor Road, Woodford Walk. The G2 will also start at Spencer Dock, and travel through Clondalkin before terminating at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.

There will now eight 24 hour buses in Dublin, with more expected to arrive in 2023. While Nitelink only operates on Friday and Saturday nights, 24 hour buses operate seven days a week.

Lower fares were sorely needed in light of growing concerns for the lack of late night transport in Dublin. A 2020 report found that concerns around safely travelling at night prevented 34 per cent of women from going out at all. The NTA recently ruled out the prospect of a late-night Luas service. Currently, only 29 per cent of registered taxi drivers operate on Friday and Saturday nights.

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