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

There have been significant initiatives in the lifetime of the Government to improve public transport, particularly its affordability. There was a 20% reduction for all users and a 60% reduction for those under 24. In Dublin, 90-minute fares were introduced, so you can go from one public transport mode to another with a single fare. Only last week, new fare structures were introduced that recognise the system was overly complicated and that there were inequities in the scheme. The new fare structure is designed to improve the overall provision. There are significant changes coming and we will have to introduce further changes, many of which will include shared mobility initiatives, which have a key role.

We would need more precise details on the free car access scheme the Deputy proposes. I will welcome those details when he responds to me. Shared transport is of increasing importance as a strategy in our effort to reduce emissions from transport and is critical in reducing our dependency on a car-based system. Last year, the Government approved the publication of the new sustainable mobility policy that noted the trend toward shared mobility globally and also noted this trend was evident in Irish cities, through shared car and bike schemes already in operation.

My Department is currently exploring the development of shared mobility options, including an e-mobility hub model for the five cities, consisting of charging infrastructure for shared electric mobility solutions such as e-bikes and e-scooters, in addition to car clubs operating electric vehicles, EVs, for short-term hire. The core idea of the hub is that it provides readily accessible, emissions-free transport options to the public, making it easier for people to make the kinds of journeys that can help us to achieve our climate and transport objectives.

A report commissioned by the National Transport Authority, NTA, examines the impact of free fares on public transport. It concludes that funding a free public transport system would cost an additional €540 million in Exchequer funding per annum at a minimum. Free public transport would see a reduction in walking and cycling and a reduction in car travel of only 1%. The NTA report is the latter one to which the Deputy referred.

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