Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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131. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on fare restructuring; when the new structure will be finally implemented following the delay since autumn 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9241/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) has been working over recent years to simplify fares across bus, rail and light rail services and aim to introduce a fairer distance-based fare structure. The National Fares Strategy developed by the NTA highlights the key objectives surrounding fares, to be equitable, consistent and easy to understand.

In their capacity as fare regulator, the NTA published the new National Fares Strategy on the 27th of April 2023, and last year published its Fare Determination aimed at simplifying fares and introducing a more equitable distance-based structure.

The first phase of that fares determination was introduced last June, and my Department is engaging with the NTA on the implementation of Phase 2. The implementation of the rail element of Phase 2 requires technical updates to ticketing systems, ticketing machines, and installation of new leap card validators at stations, which are expected to be completed in the coming months.

I fully appreciate the impact that the delayed implementation of Phase 2 has had on customers and want to reassure the Deputy that my Department and the NTA will continue to work to minimise or reduce this delay.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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132. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will intervene to ensure that a service (details supplied) continues as is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9472/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and is responsible for the licensing of public bus passenger services under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.

While most public transport in Ireland comprises the bus and rail services funded through the NTA’s public service obligation (PSO) programme, there is part of the national public transport system that comprises non-subvented bus services, which are run on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying sizes throughout the country. As a commercial operator, any decisions taken by Aircoach regarding routes, scheduling and timetabling are a matter for the company, the NTA has no powers to refuse an application from an operator to reduce or withdraw services on a commercial route.

In light of the NTA’s responsibility as licensing authority, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.