Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for her question. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I would like to clarify that the Minister has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport but neither he nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under PSO contracts.

That said, the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of that goal. To support this objective, in budget 2025 the Department of Transport secured €658.5 million of funding for PSO and Transport for Ireland, TFI, Local Link services. That was an increase from €614 million in 2024. The package also includes funding for the continuation of the various public transport fare initiatives and funding to extend free child fares on PSO services to include those aged between five and eight years old. It also supports new and enhanced public transport services.

In its capacity as fare regulator, the NTA published a new national fares strategy on 27 April 2023. On 18 January 2024, it published the first of a series of fare determinations related to the strategy. This was aimed at simplifying fares and introducing a more equitable distance-based structure, which brings us to the point raised by the Senator.The first phase of the fares determination was subsequently introduced last June, and I understand the Department of Transport is engaging with the NTA on the implementation of phase 2, which will deliver more integrated and equitable fares in Dublin commuter areas up to 50 km from the city centre. This area was selected based on a review of future public transport network proposals, for example, the implementation of DART+ along with analysis of ticket sales information to determine travel demand. Later phases will include the introduction of free transfer flat fares in the regional cities and certain towns and distance-based fares for the rest of Ireland outside towns and cities.

The new commuter zone will include stations outside of the Dublin city zone, which the Senator mentioned, as far as Rathdrum, Kildare, Enfield, Drogheda and, of course, Newbridge, and will provide better value for passengers from these areas. The Dublin commuter zone is designed to ensure the cheapest fare is made available to passengers and will help to alleviate boundary issues between the national and city fare structures. For example, for a journey from Newbridge to O’Connell Street, passengers will benefit from the flat fare element within the city, facilitating longer distances of travel at a cheaper fare.

Unfortunately, the implementation of phase 2 has been delayed due to a number of technical challenges. I have been advised that Bus Éireann, Irish Rail and Luas are all working closely with their contractors to enable implementation of the phase 2 fare changes.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me a little bit of extra time. It is my first day. Next time, I will be better prepared. I have one or two more comments after the Senator’s follow-up.