PUBLIC transport fares are to be frozen due to the "ongoing cost of living crisis", infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon has said.
She said she had taken the decision to freeze fares to "ensure that our citizens who rely on public transport will not face additional pressures on their cost of travel".
The SDLP minister said she hoped the move would "go some way to alleviating further price hikes from hitting those struggling across the north".
"I have taken the decision to freeze fares on our public transport network at this time to ensure that our citizens who rely on public transport will not face additional pressures on their cost of travel especially when citizens and families are facing the challenges of the cost living crisis, with food, fuel and energy prices climbing," she said.
"I hope this decision will go some way towards alleviating the problems many are facing at this challenging time.
"As leaders we absolutely must do all in our power to help our communities and particularly through the current living cost crisis.
"Public transport will not add pressures to those spiralling costs for people on my watch.
"That said, I also hope that this measure may also encourage more people to use public transport as we make Northern Ireland a sustainable place to live, work and socialise."
