Public Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2022

Thursday, 3 March 2022

Questions (34, 46, 54, 56, 73, 75, 85, 106)

James O'Connor

Question:

34. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if an update will be provided on the roll-out of the youth travel card. [12112/22]

Duncan Smith

Question:

46. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the roll-out of 50% discount fares for students and those under 23 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11048/22]

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

54. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his views on the inconsistencies in public transport fares for 16- to 18- year-olds; the steps he will take to ensure that an appropriate fare is available to all young persons across all types of public transport in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12130/22]

Duncan Smith

Question:

56. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the student travel card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11047/22]

Colm Burke

Question:

73. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the progress made by his Department to date in respect of the reduction in public transport fares by approximately 20% as part of measures to help with the cost of living; the timeline of when this measure will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11946/22]

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

75. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Transport the progress on the introduction of the new half price public transport fare for 19-23-year-olds; and the timeline for the reduction of fares by 20% as part of measures to help with the cost of living [12103/22]

Alan Farrell

Question:

85. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the progress made at introducing the new half price public transport fare for young persons. [12145/22]

David Stanton

Question:

106. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the progress made by his Department in introducing a half price public transport fare for young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12082/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 46, 54, 56, 73, 75, 85 and 106 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 late April/ early 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.  The NTA has commenced work in relation to the implementation of the new fares’ structures for young adults, and this includes the application process and establishing a definitive timeline for the introduction of the Scheme. 

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputies  questions 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