Ivor Callely
Question:102 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the negotiations, if any, he has had with Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann to remove the time restrictions which apply in respect of the free travel scheme. [22303/96]
Written Answers. - Free Travel Scheme.
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 because the transport services concerned are under severe pressure from commuters travelling to or from work or school in the morning and evening. The travel restrictions apply generally from 7 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 p.m. on Fridays for up to 20 miles out from Dublin, Cork or Limerick. These restrictions, however, do not apply in the case of mentally handicapped people, people attending long-term rehabilitation courses and certain other disabled or blind people.
The question of removing or easing the peak time travel restrictions has been discussed with CIE on a number of occasions in the past. With the present size of its bus fleet, CIE would face major passenger capacity constraints at peak hours if the travel restriction were relaxed. The cost of such a proposal would be significant both for my Department in terms of extra expenditure under the free travel scheme and for CIE which would have to purchase or hire extra buses to cope with the increased demand which would arise. For these reasons, I have no plans in the foreseeable future to alter the current time restrictions applying in the case of the free travel scheme.