Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is concerned at the increase in charges by private bus operators (details supplied) which commuters rely on in the west of Ireland as they are unable to pay for rental accommodation in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61714/22]

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.

However, the NTA does not have a role in the setting of fares for services provided by commercial operators. That is a matter for the individual commercial operators themselves.

Therefore, the question raised in relation to the increase in charges by private bus operators is an operational matter for the company concerned.