Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 January 2023
31. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will reconsider the Government opposition to the provision of free public transport, given his statements effectively scrapping targets for 1 million EVs in the State by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2388/23]
View answer38. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is exploring the impact of implementing a policy of free public transport fares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2251/23]
View answer96. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the way his target of removing one in five cars from the roads by 2030 is matched by the provision of an expanding and accessible public transport alternative in terms of capacity and funding; if free public transport is being considered as part of the plan to achieve this target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2380/23]
View answer99. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on any information that he has in relation to increased passenger numbers during the period of the reduced fares on public transport; the number of student Leap and young adult Leap cards that have been issued in the same timeframe; if he will consider the abolition of public transport fares given the increased use of public transport reported previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2250/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 38, 96 and 99 together.
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 statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. The NTA also has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
This Government is firmly committed to enhancing and expanding our public transport services provision across the country. To support this objective, in Budget 2022, I secured c. €538m of funding for PSO and Local Link services provided by State operators and under contract by the NTA this year. The recently agreed Budget 2023 further helps to support this aim, with a €563million funding package secured to support the PSO services next year. Further a number of fare initiatives were introduced in 2022, such as the 20% average fare reduction on PSO services and the Young Adult Card. Funding has been provided in 2023 for the continuation of these initiatives.
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 relation to an update on passenger numbers and student Leap and young adult Leap cards during the period of the reduced fares on public transport, I would like to advise that the NTA has responsibility for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in these matters, 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.
