Concerns have been raised over the cost of replacement transport during rail disruptions, with calls for improved planning and accountability to ensure better value for both passengers and taxpayers.
Speaking following replies to recent Parliamentary Questions, Eoghan Kenny said figures provided to him show significant spending on replacement transport, particularly taxis, used when rail services are disrupted. Nationwide taxi spending linked to rail disruptions amounted to €79,184 in 2021, €84,730 in 2022, €85,718 in 2023 and €81,092 in 2024. Spending to date in 2025 stands at €58,540, bringing total expenditure since 2021 to more than €389,000.
Kenny also highlighted that €202,368 was spent in 2025 alone on bus replacement services operating on the Mallow–Cork rail line.
While acknowledging that replacement services are sometimes necessary to facilitate rail upgrades, Kenny said the current approach must be improved. He said that while buses are often required to deliver essential works, the level of spending involved points to the need for better planning. He warned that hundreds of thousands of euro are being paid to private contractors by default and argued that public bus services should play a greater role, offering improved value, transparency and accountability.
He added that passengers deserve reliable services and that taxpayers deserve clear answers on how public money is being spent.
Meanwhile, Cork TD Ken O’Flynn said commuters are being taken for granted and raised serious concerns about the lack of oversight surrounding replacement services on the Mallow–Cork line. He said he has been formally informed that when rail services are cancelled and replaced with buses, the cost is paid by the Exchequer, but neither the National Transport Authority nor the Minister can say how much is being spent.
He said that public money is involved, services are being lost, and yet there is no clear line of accountability. Deputy O’Flynn confirmed that he has now submitted further Parliamentary Questions to establish the full cost of rail disruptions, how spending is overseen, and why the Department lacks visibility of the figures.
“Taxpayers deserve transparency,” he said. “And commuters deserve respect.”
