Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the issue of public transport and commend the Senators who tabled the motion.

There is no doubt that we need to increase investment in public transport infrastructure. If we are to truly move to a greener society, live up to our obligations to reduce carbon emissions by 51% by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050 then people must increase their use of public transport.

Connectivity is a particular issue. I am regularly contacted by constituents in Kildare South who complain of shoddy services and a lack of joined-up thinking in terms of routes, particularly cross-county routes. I raised these matters at the meeting that we had on Monday with the NTA. As the Acting Chairperson will well know, many students decide to study in Maynooth and Carlow. However, it is extremely difficult to access public transport routes to both locations. Bus, rail and tram timetables must fit together in a way that allows people to use and rely on public transport.

Public transport needs to be affordable, accessible and people-centred. We need to consider the commuter issues that exist in County Kildare and ensure that people who live in rural parts of the county can use the bus in order to access appointments, health services, etc. The NTA has published its proposals for some improvements around south Kildare. They are welcome but there is room for more improvements.

In terms of using cycling routes, recently I walked the path between Glenaree to Rathangan that is part of the Barrow Blueway. The journey was less than half the distance that I would have to take if I travelled by road. The blueway is fabulous for anyone who wishes to walk or cycle. The investment in all of these areas is very welcome.

There is an onus on us to facilitate change. In rural Ireland there is a huge reliance on petrol and diesel cars. That is an absolute necessity at the moment as there is no choice. However, we must allow that freedom of choice.

For some time I have called for, as has the Acting Chairperson, a medium-hop rail zone to be created between Dublin and Newbridge onwards. This morning, I paid €27.50 for a return ticket that would allow me to travel between Newbridge and Dublin. If I chose to board the train at Sallins, which is just 6 km nearer to Dublin, the price of my ticket would have been less than half that price, which is wrong. The price of tickets can act as a barrier.

I welcome the action taken by the Government to date and the transport measures in the national development plan. I wish to emphasise that implementation of these measures is key and we, in this House, have a duty to hold the Minister of State and our Government colleagues to account to ensure that public transport receives the necessary funding.