Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the witnesses from Iarnród Éireann about the free travel pass. At our December meeting, disability groups raised the issue of the requirement, as per Iarnród Éireann's protocol, of booking in advance. Along with that booking comes a charge of €5 for a single journey or €10 for a return journey. The witnesses can correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that this charge is against EU regulations. If so, why is Iarnród Éireann charging people? Aside from those who need assistance gaining access, does that charge also apply to pensioners in receipt of a free travel pass who, for whatever reason, decide to book in advance? If they had someone with them to assist them on and off a train, would that charge still apply?

Mr. Hernan stated that Bus Éireann had an accessibility and information officer. That is the first I heard of it, and I have been in contact with Bus Éireann numerous times about a lack of accessibility for wheelchair users locally and across the State. Is the contact number advertised at stations and so on to members of the public - travelling customers - who have a grievance? Is it visibly displayed at every bus station or bus stop so that members of the public can contact the officer with concerns?

Another important question I want to ask is how many times were wheelchair users who followed the company's protocol let down in 2017. I am sure the company keeps a record of the number. One keeps a record to ensure services can be improved and maintained. Based on the records for 2017 alone, how many customers who required wheelchair access were let down? I could refer to numerous incidents. A constituent of mine who travelled to Dundalk Institute of Technology was let down no fewer than 20 times in 2017. I could also refer to the case of a gentleman from Laytown who is regularly left sitting at the side of the road. If a low-floor bus does not come for him, the driver tells him that he is not qualified to operate the lift. That is scandalous. The affected gentleman, with many others across the State, has been left at the side of the road on numerous occasions.

I have a question on booking 24 hours in advance. Is it not the case that many stations across the State seek 48 hours notice? It was said this type of reservation system was in line with the prevailing practice in other EU countries. For weekend reservations, one has to make a reservation by 3 p.m. on Friday. Therefore, if someone decides to visit a family on a Sunday, he or she will get the two fingers. If a passenger wants to use public transport, he or she does not have a chance because Bus Éireann must be let know by 3 p.m. on the Friday what his or her plans are for the Sunday. One could not make it up.

The delegation referred to the fact that seats needed to be removed, as well as the more commercial aspect. Does that not speak volumes? I acknowledge that there is an issue with the free travel pass subsidy, a matter I raised with the Minister last year. The subsidy is way below what it should be and operators outside the public transport system receive a higher subsidy for passengers with the free travel pass. When the delegates refer to commercial considerations, are they saying the amount of money received for passengers with the free travel pass makes a person who needs wheelchair access to a bus less important than a paying customer who does not need wheelchair access? The delegates need to explain the position, considering that people with a disability and access issues are equally as entitled to access daily public transport services as the next person and should not be left standing at the side of the road.