Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 1

Written Answers. - Provincial Bus Free Travel.

Brendan Smith

Question:

19 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to remove the restrictions that apply during peak travel periods for people availing of free travel on provincial bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4023/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The purpose of the free travel scheme is to encourage elderly people to remain active in the community by giving them access to spare capacity on the various public transport systems. Expenditure on the scheme this year will amount to some £32.7 million and will benefit some 470,000 people.

Time restrictions have been a feature of the free travel scheme since its inception. They are necessary on city and provincial bus routes because the transport services concerned are under severe pressure from commuters travelling to or from work or school in the morning and evening and they would be unable to cope with the additional volume of passengers arising if the restrictions did not apply.

However, time restrictions do not apply in the case of mentally-handicapped people, people attending long-term rehabilitation courses and certain other disabled or blind people.

Time restrictions apply generally from 7.00 a.m. to 9.45 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., Monday to Friday inclusive, and on Bus Éireann long-distance buses from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. on Friday for up to 20 miles from Dublin, Cork or Limerick. The removal of these restrictions would have significant cost implications for the transport companies involved who, in turn, would seek compensation from my Department. In relation specifically to Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann, it is understood that both companies would not be prepared to lift the current time restrictions, even if appropriate compensation was offered, because of the major passenger capacity constraints operating in their case at those peak times of the day.

In the circumstances, I have no plans at present to alter the current time restrictions applying in the case of the free travel scheme.