Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business Public transport fare increases
Summary
Deputy O’Gorman calls for a debate on proposed fare increases, arguing that additional NTA funding could prevent them during the cost-of-living crisis.
We need to have a debate on the hikes in public transport fares that were announced in the last two weeks. The Minister for Transport needs to explain why he thinks it is acceptable, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, for fares for bus and train users to be raised by an average of 15%. These fare rises do not have to happen. An extra €70 million invested in the National Transport Authority, NTA, this year would ensure it does not have to go through. This is a political call by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and it should be debated before the budget is agreed.