Written answers

Wednesday, 1 March 2023

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Transport Costs

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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124. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if it is permissible for bus companies that are part of the "free travel scheme" of her Department to charge an online booking fee to those eligible for "free travel" to book online under the terms of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10443/23]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Free Travel Scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those under age 66 on certain qualified payments, who are living legally and permanently in the State.  The scheme permits those who are eligible to travel for free on most CIÉ public transport services, Local Link, LUAS and a range of transport services offered by some 74 private operators countrywide. 

Under the Free Travel scheme, there is no requirement or impediment for transport operators to provide additional services such as a seat booking service.  Some travel operators have introduced online booking services for customers who wish to guarantee their seat on a particular service.  This is entirely a matter for the transport operator concerned.  

Customers wishing to avail of Free Travel do not have to pre-book services with any operator participating in the Free Travel Scheme.  They can continue to present on their preferred day of travel and avail of Free Travel using their Public Services Card.  

It is open to any Free Travel customer who wants to be guaranteed a seat on a particular service to book their seat in advance, where a pre-booking facility exists.  That is a matter for individual customers themselves.  

I trust this clarifies this matter for the Deputy.

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