Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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259. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the reduced public transport rate for third-level students which was announced in budget 2022 will come into effect. [1851/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The National Transport Authority (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 Minister for Transport, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares; however, I do have responsibility for public transport policy and overall funding, and as such, I was delighted as part of Budget 2022, to secure €25m 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 of 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.