Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow John Brady has strongly criticised the refusal of the Minister for Transport and the National Transport Authority to review the current fare structure for Leap Card users in TFI Zone 3, which has seen significant increases in areas such as Greystones.
Deputy Brady said that fare hikes of up to one hundred percent for certain journeys are placing an unfair burden on commuters and completely undermine efforts to promote public transport use.
“This decision is extremely disappointing and frankly illogical. We should be doing everything we can to encourage more people to use public transport, not pricing them out of it. People in Greystones and surrounding areas are now paying some of the highest fares in the country for what is often an infrequent and unreliable service.”
John Brady has written directly to the Minister for Transport, the NTA, and has submitted several parliamentary questions in an effort to raise the issue and demand a review of the fare structure. However, no action has been taken.
“I have made multiple representations to both the Minister and the NTA, and they continue to refuse to engage with any kind of review. That is simply not good enough. People are paying more and getting less, and the government appears to be turning a blind eye.”
He said the approach is completely at odds with what is needed to reduce congestion and tackle the climate crisis.
“If we are serious about reducing traffic on our roads and cutting carbon emissions, then affordable and accessible public transport is essential. Increasing fares in an urban area like Greystones flies in the face of common sense. It pushes people back into cars and makes sustainable travel more difficult.”
Deputy Brady said that the government should be looking to replicate best practice from other European countries.
“In many cities across Europe, public transport is affordable, frequent, and well-integrated. That is the direction we should be going in, not increasing costs for a poor-quality service. I will continue to raise this issue and put pressure on the Minister and the NTA until this is addressed.”
Deputy Brady said that fare hikes of up to one hundred percent for certain journeys are placing an unfair burden on commuters and completely undermine efforts to promote public transport use.
“This decision is extremely disappointing and frankly illogical. We should be doing everything we can to encourage more people to use public transport, not pricing them out of it. People in Greystones and surrounding areas are now paying some of the highest fares in the country for what is often an infrequent and unreliable service.”
John Brady has written directly to the Minister for Transport, the NTA, and has submitted several parliamentary questions in an effort to raise the issue and demand a review of the fare structure. However, no action has been taken.
“I have made multiple representations to both the Minister and the NTA, and they continue to refuse to engage with any kind of review. That is simply not good enough. People are paying more and getting less, and the government appears to be turning a blind eye.”
He said the approach is completely at odds with what is needed to reduce congestion and tackle the climate crisis.
“If we are serious about reducing traffic on our roads and cutting carbon emissions, then affordable and accessible public transport is essential. Increasing fares in an urban area like Greystones flies in the face of common sense. It pushes people back into cars and makes sustainable travel more difficult.”
Deputy Brady said that the government should be looking to replicate best practice from other European countries.
“In many cities across Europe, public transport is affordable, frequent, and well-integrated. That is the direction we should be going in, not increasing costs for a poor-quality service. I will continue to raise this issue and put pressure on the Minister and the NTA until this is addressed.”