Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
156. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he has provided funding to the National Transport Authority to cover the cost of enabling commercial bus operators to participate in the young adult card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28124/22]
View answerIn recognition of the importance of incentivising young people to use public transport, as part of Budget 2022 I secured funding to provide for the introduction of a young adult card (YAC) on both PSO and commercial services. This exciting initiative entitles anyone between the ages of 19 and 23 to discounted travel costs and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount level to an average of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services.
The discount has initially been made available on all subsidised PSO bus, rail and Luas services. It will then be broadened to include commercial operators as soon as practical. Intensive work is underway with representatives from the commercial bus sector, the NTA and the Department to devise a mechanism to implement and expedite the deployment of the Young Adult Card in the commercial bus sector.
