Patrick Costello
Question:
260. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will work with the National Transport Authority, Dublin Bus and other relevant parties to develop a plan for free public transport for school children, as exists in Germany and Switzerland, to encourage the shift from private to public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1687/23]
View answer
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
The PSO programme represents a significant expenditure of taxpayers' money, and funding has increased in recent years to cater for additional services and growing capacity. Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to free public transport for school children, 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.
I am writing to you concerning the matter you raised in Parliamentary Question No. 260 on 18th January last which has been referred to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for reply.
The provision of transport services which schoolchildren can avail of can be split into three categories:
(1) PSO bus, rail and Luas services, which the NTA contracts from transport operators and for which the NTA sets fares, routes and service levels. These are public transport services available to any member of the public who wishes to use them.
(2) Commercial bus services, where the transport operator establishes the routes and service levels and sets fares for these services. These services are open to any member of the public who wishes to use them. An operator wishing to operate such a public transport service must apply to the NTA for a licence to operate, but there is no contract between the NTA and the operator for their provision.
(3) School bus services provided by Bus Éireann or its contractors on behalf of the Department of Education. These services are available to children of school going age only.
The NTA’s role in relation to setting fares levels is confined to PSO public transport services. The Authority regularly (typically annually) reviews and issues determinations on fare for the PSO network. In recent years the fares charged for schoolchildren have not been increased. In May 2022 fare levels were reduced by 20%, in line with wider fare reductions across the PSO public transport network. Fares charged for schoolchildren will be reviewed as part of the 2023 fares determination which is expected to be published in Q2 2023. Any decision on fare levels will need to take account of government funding allocations for subsidising the operation of PSO public transport, in the context of an expanding network of services.
