Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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428. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will advise regarding ongoing issues for a student Leap card applicant (details supplied); if he is aware that similar issues are affecting a number of students attending the same third level institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60005/25]

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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, 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.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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429. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the issue whereby people with a travel pass have to pay private bus operators €3.00 each time they book a seat on a bus; if he will respond to correspondence highlighting the issue (details supplied). [60028/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I am responsible for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in day-to-day operational matters of public transport operators, including those related to the operation of commercial bus services, their fare structures, or the acceptance of free travel passes. Further, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has no direct involvement with the free travel scheme on commercial services either.

I would like to reassure the Deputy that non-refundable deposits are not required across Public Service Obligation (PSO) funded bus services. While all PSO transport services, including Local Link services, are part of the Free Travel Scheme (FTS), some commercial bus operators are also part of the Scheme . Those private bus companies that have opted into the FTS are reimbursed directly by the Department of Social Protection for carrying Free Travel passengers.

In relation to rail services, there is no requirement for FTS passengers to book train journeys online in order to use their pass. An allocation of bookings on all Intercity services can be reserved online without a fee for free travel pass/existing valid ticket holders. When this allocation is fully booked, all remaining seats can be reserved by free travel pass/existing valid ticket holders for €2.50 per journey.

I am aware that a number of the commercial bus operators which participate in the FTS require such booking deposits in order for passengers to reserve seats on their services. However, these private companies operate on a commercial basis and as such decisions regarding fares and booking fees are an operational matter for the companies themselves.