Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister and I both share a firm belief in the provision of affordable public transport, including bus services. However, we must also acknowledge that private operators have to form a part of the solution. Recent measures, including the 20% fare reduction for public transport and the 50% reduction for those with a student Leap card, are absolutely welcome, but we must include private operators in the process because, outside urban areas, these operators transport 54% of the people who need to be transported. We need to include private operators in order that their passengers also can avail of the reductions.

Another issue arises over St. Patrick's Quay, Cork city, and a change happening there that will affect the private operators. I will send the Minister a memo on that and perhaps he can come back to me.

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