Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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153. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the young adult travel card will be extended to include privately operated bus routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56645/21]

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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156. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will revisit the young adult travel card scheme in order that it includes commercial coach operators with the attendant good effects of opening up more routes and choice and increasing the opportunity for young persons to travel reliably on public over personal transport and tackle emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56680/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 156 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares.

Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.

As part of Budget 2022, I secured €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a youth travel card (YTC). The YTC will allow any person nationwide who is between 19 and 23 years old to avail of an entitlement for discounted travel costs and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount to an average discount of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services.

The NTA have commenced work in relation to the implementation of the new fares structures for young adults. I have therefore forwarded the Deputies questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.