8. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the introduction of free public transport for children under the age of nine that was announced in budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22834/25]
Sentiment score: 0.18
As we have discussed, in budget 2025 which was announced last October my colleague, the then Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, secured funding to roll out free public transport across our public transport network for children aged under nine. This initiative had a number of purposes. It was aimed at reducing congestion by providing commuters with a cheaper alternative. It was also built around creating the habit of using public transport among young children. Very importantly, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis it was designed to save commuters money. It builds on the other public transport initiatives the Green Party introduced, which the Minister of State referenced. In 2023 there was a 20% cut to all public transport fares. These were the first cuts since the 1940s. There was also the introduction of the young adult travel card. Will the Minister of State give us a bit more detail on when in quarter 3 he expects to see this new initiative rolled out?
Sentiment score: 0.11
I thank the Minister of State for his commitment to come back with a more specific date. Now that we are in May, we should be giving commuters specifics in terms of when this funding that has been put aside will be used and when they will get the benefit. One issue the Dublin Commuter Coalition has raised is whether there be a requirement for identity cards. Generally, identity cards are not used, but if some bus driver or operator decided to insist on them, will children under nine years of age need an identity card to prove their age? The Minister of State might clarify that. On the wider issue, all Departments are starting to collate their budgets. Is reducing public transport fares a priority for the Minister of State and the Department in this budget? The Minister of State set out the cost for free public transport for everybody. No one is expecting miracles from the Minister of State in this budget, but is he looking to reduce some of the public transport fares in budget 2026?
Sentiment score: 0.18
11. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport if he can provide an update on the delivery of next generation ticketing, given that one year has passed since the signing of the contract for this upgrade; the timeline his Department is considering for the completed process; if he intends to expedite this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22832/25]
Sentiment score: 0.01
In April of last year, the National Transport Authority awarded a comprehensive framework contract to the Spanish firm Indra Sistemas. This contract is for the design, supply, installation and operation of a new multi-modal ticketing system. Will the Minister give us an update on the roll-out of that scheme? When does he believe passengers will be able to tag on and off using a credit card or phone?
Sentiment score: 0.25
Notwithstanding the complexity of the problem, I am disappointed that we do not have more clarity as to when we will see the actual roll-out. I know it will take some time but this contract was signed a year ago and I would have hoped that, after a year of preparatory work, the company, the NTA and the Minister would have been able to give us clarity as to when we will actually see roll-out. This is a big project costing €100 million. It is a lot of State investment. After a year, I believe we are within our rights to expect more clarity as to when we will actually see this. We are a long way behind other European countries. The Leap card is great. I use it every single day. However, if you leave it behind or if you are a tourist or in Dublin on business, not being able to tag on and off with a phone or card is a real disadvantage. That puts us far behind other European countries. I ask that the Minister go back to the NTA to get more clarity on the timeline for roll-out.
Sentiment score: 0.10
I understand that a scheme of this scale and complexity will take time but, when you are working with a private sector company, if you do not give it a clear deadline, it will take all the time it can. It is very important that we get that timeline. I am glad to see the Minister is taking such a hands-on approach and has been engaging with his officials on this. He can rest assured that I will be asking him about the issue regularly because it is very important. Will the Minister talk a bit more about this idea of an account-based system, what that actually means and how it will put us ahead of the approach adopted in the UK? Will people who do not have accounts such as tourists or people who are here on business be able to use this system or will people have to register an account before tagging on and off? An account-based system is good but we also need a system that is flexible for tourists and people who are here on business who just want to use public transport on a once-off basis.
Sentiment score: 0.24