Leap card zonal fare increase
Deputy Smith criticised the new Leap zonal fares, saying they were hitting commuters, including schoolchildren in his constituency, and should be reversed. The Tánaiste acknowledged local impacts, noted some fares had fallen elsewhere, and said he would meet the NTA and consider a constituency meeting.
The Green Party is only out of Government a wet week and we are already seeing-----
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-----an increase in public transport fares. The new Leap card zonal fare is harshly and dramatically impacting commuters travelling through zones 2, 3 and 4 especially. This impacts the Tánaiste's own constituency. I got a response from the NTA that said it is going to begin a scoping exercise of the impact of the new fare structure. I have schoolchildren in my constituency going from Donabate to Balbriggan who have to pay an extra €25 weekly due to these fares. The scoping exercise should be cancelled, the fares should go back to normal and an examination should be done before there is a change. This situation is having a major impact on families. We are trying to encourage people to use public transport and not to go backwards. In a previous response, the Tánaiste said he would arrange meetings with the NTA and a response from it on matters relating to this fare structure. It has not happened. I really need some progress on this matter.
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As the Deputy can imagine, this is an issue I am very alert to and aware of in a very practical sense. My hometown is one that has seen an adverse impact from this change. Admittedly, many other areas have seen fares decrease. I do not think it is good that we are seeing one town nearly being pitted against another as a result of this fare structure. We have taken several measures to reduce public transport fares that I am proud of. We did that together in the last Government. I would like to meet the NTA regarding this issue. Perhaps those of us from constituencies impacted could seek to meet the organisation together to seek a timeline on when it intends to carry out the consultation.
While I am on my feet I join the Leas-Cheann Comhairle in welcoming the students and their teachers to the Dáil. I welcome Ms Lavin and Ms Keyes and their students, Éabha, Josie, Cillian and Jacek. I am sure they could all teach us many things about debating. I first learned how to debate back in secondary school too. I was told to do all the things I never do now, like locking your knees, looking up, speaking calmly, beginning with a quote and all that. I hope they have had very good success and I thank them for being here today.