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Public Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022

Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Questions (234, 235, 237)

Michael Lowry

Question:

234. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the reason scheduled service operators (details supplied) have been excluded from accessing Exchequer funding or financial subsidies in order that they can also introduce a 20% reduction in passenger fares similar to the scheme which was announced on public service obligation serviced routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11719/22]

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Michael Lowry

Question:

235. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the reason scheduled service operators (details supplied) have been excluded from the youth travel card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11720/22]

View answer

Gerald Nash

Question:

237. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his plans to extend the proposed 20% average fare reduction on public service obligation services to private bus contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11748/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 234, 235 and 237 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.

The Government is strongly committed to helping combat the rising cost-of-living being experienced throughout the country. In this context, a suite of new measures is being introduced by Government to help with this issue, including a 20% average fare reduction on PSO services until the end of 2022. These discounted fares will benefit the hundreds of thousands of people across the country who use public transport every day. A further €54m in Exchequer funding has been secured to allow for the introduction of these discounted fares, this is in addition to the REV22 allocations. The NTA will work with the PSO public transport operators in the coming weeks to commence rolling out these fare reductions across the public transport network in April/May.

Also, in recognition of the importance of incentivising young people to use public transport, as part of Budget 2022 I secured €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a young adult card (YAC) which will allow any person nationwide who is between 19 and 23 years old, to avail of an entitlement for discounted travel costs, and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount to an average of discount of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services. It is envisaged that the discount will initially be made available on PSO services, and then broadened to include commercial operators at a later date.  This will not only promote modal shift in the transport sector among this age group but should also contribute towards a reduced reliance on private transport with associated benefit of transport emission savings.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the inclusion of commercial bus operators in the schemes, to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 235 answered with Question No. 234.
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