Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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188. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he, in consultation with Transport For Ireland, will address the anomaly by which third levels students must be aged 19 years or older to be entitled to a student Leap card (details supplied). [46419/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. 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 the Deputy is aware the Young Adult Card (YAC) was introduced on PSO services on the 9th of May. The 50% fare discount for holders of a Young Adult (19-23) or Student (24+) Leap Card is now available on bus services provided by participating Commercial Bus Operators (CBOs). The NTA has informed me that they are widening the age rules to allow 16, 17 and 18 year old students in third level education to apply for the Student Leap Card so that they can also avail of the CBO student discount. The Authority are already working on this element of the project which is scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks, at which point 16, 17 and 18 year old students in third level education will also be able to order a Student Leap Card.

This will not only promote modal shift in the transport sector among this age group but should also contribute towards a reduced reliance on private transport with associated benefit of transport emission savings.