Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reassure Senator O’Loughlin that the Government is strongly committed to delivering a cost-efficient and sustainable public transport network. The ongoing review of existing fare structures has a key role to play in achieving this goal.

The Minister for Transport has welcomed the publication of the NTA’s fare determination which represents the first step in delivering the national fare strategy. However, the Minister fully acknowledges the frustrations of commuters and of Senator O’Loughlin on behalf of the people of south Kildare who have been impacted by the delays in the roll-out of phase 2 of the fare determination.

When phase 2 is implemented, it will involve the introduction of the new Dublin city and Dublin commuter zones, a significant reduction in Leap card multimodal caps and the introduction of Leap travel credit at all Dublin commuter zone rail stations. This will be a further positive step towards a more equitable approach to public transport fare pricing.

I trust this clarifies the Senator’s queries with regard to the implementation of phase 2 of the fare determination for commuters in south Kildare. I thank her for the opportunity to discuss this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I appreciate the Senator's understanding and will convey her concerns to the Minister. I thank her for raising this important matter.