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Public Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022

Tuesday, 8 March 2022

Questions (169, 170)

Noel Grealish

Question:

169. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will extend the 20% reduction in passenger fares on public service obligation routes to all scheduled service operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12352/22]

View answer

Noel Grealish

Question:

170. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will extend the youth travel card to all scheduled service operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12353/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 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 PSO public transport every day.

€54m in Exchequer funding has been secured to allow for the introduction of these discounted fares; this funding does not include an extension of the scheme to private coach and bus operators. As the Deputy is aware, unlike with PSO services, the National Transport Authority (NTA) do not set, monitor or regulate fares on services run by commercial operators.

Licensed bus operators are an integral part of the overall public transport system particularly in areas which are not covered by existing public service bus and rail services. In recognition of this, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the Government have provided temporary financial supports for certain licensed commercial services with a view to protecting capacity across the public transport sector throughout the crisis. To date c.€60m has been provided to support the Commercial Bus Operators during this challenging time.

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 Deputy's question in relation to the extension of the Youth Travel Card to all scheduled service operators 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. 170 answered with Question No. 169.
Question No. 171 answered with Question No. 167.
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