Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 May 2023
33. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to maintain reduced public transport fees further, and to introduce reduced fares on other modes of transport and routes across the public transport network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20823/23]
View answerAs 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 the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
A number of fare initiatives were introduced in 2022, such as the 20% average fare reduction on PSO services and the Young Adult Card, and 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.
Further, on the 27th of April, the NTA published the National Fares Strategy which aims to encourage existing passengers and new users to use public transport more, by implementing a fairer and easier to understand structure.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to maintaining reduced public transport fees further and the introduction of reduced fares on other modes of transport and routes across the public transport network, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
