John Stafford
Question:415 Mr. Stafford asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in light of recent changing traffic patterns, he will extend the hours for which free travel on public transport applies.
Written Answers. - Free Travel Scheme.
Time restrictions which have been a feature of the Free Travel Scheme since its inception apply between the hours of 7.00 and 9.45 in the morning and 4.30 and 6.30 in the evening, Monday to Friday inclusive. However, they do not apply in the case of mentally-handicapped persons, persons attending long term rehabilitation courses or certain other disabled or blind persons.
The reason for the restrictions is because the services concerned are under severe pressure from commuters travelling to or from work or school at that time of the morning and evening and they would be unable to cope with the additional volume of passengers arising if the restrictions did not apply.
Any easing of the current time restrictions would have significant cost implications for my Department and could only be considered in the budgetary context. Expenditure on the Free Travel Scheme will exceed £29 million this year.