Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Oct 1994

Vol. 446 No. 3

Written Answers. - Free Travel Passes.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

147 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social Welfare the time restrictions on the use of free travel passes; and if he will extend the time during which pass holders may avail of public transport in view of the changing patterns of public transport use. [2163/94]

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The free travel scheme covers some 440,000 people at an annual cost to my Department of £30 million. In the case of city bus services for Dublin, Cork and Limerick provided by Bus Atha Cliath or Bus Eireann, free travel passes cannot be used between the hours of 7.00 a.m. and 9.45 a.m. in the morning and 4.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. in the evening on each day from Monday to Friday. In the case of Bus Eireann long distance buses, the time restriction is limited to Fridays from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. for up to 20 miles outside Dublin, Cork or Limerick. These restrictions do not apply to certain disabled or blind people, mentally handicapped people and those attending long term rehabilitation courses.

The necessity for these restrictions arises because the services concerned are under severe pressure from commuters travelling to and from work or school at that time of the morning and evening. Any easing of the present arrangements would have significant cost implications for the carriers involved who, in turn would seek compensation from my Department.