A UL Student Life survey has uncovered the harsh reality of many commuter students, and the impact of constant travelling. This report follows a recent national HEA survey which found that almost 40% of students now commute from their family home.
As the cost of living and housing crisis worsen across Limerick and the Midwest, UL students are facing immense financial pressure. Students are also dealing with long daily journeys and barriers to academic and social success.
The report warns that commuter disadvantage is structural rather than individual, and that current transport provision, timetabling practices, and attendance policies are not designed with the commuter reality in mind.
While the data shows that UL students are primarily commuting from the six counties across Munster, some students are communing from as far as Donegal to UL each week.
The data shows that 60% spend over one hour travelling one way, with some reporting journeys of up to 2.5 hours.
Over 55% of students are spending 40 euro per week on commuting, with many spending upwards of 80-100 euro. Student drivers also face an added 15 euro per week in parking charges.
50% of students say commuting makes social engagement “very difficult”, while 80% want commuter-specific supports such as flexible timetables and recorded lectures.
Students commuting from areas such as Annacotty, Castleconnell, Caherdavin, Corbally and Limerick city reported journeys of up to 1.5–2.5 hours one way. Students have highlighted unreliable and overcrowded services, particularly on city routes, resulting in missed lectures and increased stress.
One nursing student reports waking up at 5.30am daily to commute to University Hospital Limerick from Offaly for a 13-hour unpaid shift. They described regularly needing to pull over due to exhaustion during the 2 hour drive home.
Dervla Ryan, Vice-President Diversity & Inclusion Officer at UL Student Life, said:
“The message from students couldn’t be clearer: students have surpassed the point of crisis. When people are sleeping in cars and missing classes because the commute is too much, it’s a sign that the system is failing them. This is not the student experience they signed up for. We need to work together and act now before even more students are pushed to breaking points. Students are paying the price for failures in housing policy and transport planning, and it is directly affecting who can access and succeed in higher education.”
UL Student Life is calling for urgent action, including greater investment in affordable student accommodation, more reliable public transport, and flexible teaching, attendance and timetabling arrangements.
This report highlights the need for coordinated action from the University, transport authorities and Government. With commuter student numbers continuing to rise, and inequalities within higher education deepening.