Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We are considering a range of extensions to PSO supports for commercial and public bus operators. We have maintained services throughout the pandemic even though the numbers have been low. We expect a return to 100% carrying capacity on all public transport from 2 August, so there will not be restrictions, per se, on travel. However, it is not certain that the numbers will start to return. There will be nothing stopping anyone from using his or her TaxSaver ticket to avail of a full public transport service five days per week. That is already the case, but there will be no restrictions on numbers from 2 August, subject to the pandemic not growing. I imagine that is the main reason the NTA is not seeking a further extension of the TaxSaver scheme. However, we need a new scheme and I will use the Deputy's arguments in the discussions with the NTA and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to try to deliver that.

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