Clarity Needed on Travel Pass Future – Crowe

Dublin South West representative Seán Crowe TD has said that the Free
Travel Pass Scheme which operates for pensioners and people with
disabilities needs to be clarified and its funding ensured for the
future. Crowe was responding to a controversial  proposal  that
suggests that the travel pass should be limited to off-peak times.

A Government working group is reviewing the future of the free scheme,
which allows up to 1.2 million people – or 25 per cent of the
population – to travel for free on public and some private transport.

Deputy Seán Crowe said

“The current free travel scheme is an incredibly important support to
tens of thousands of vulnerable  people right across the country. It
is vital support to a community with higher than average health
concerns that needs access to transport in order to attend
medical appointments but also to break down isolation, maintain a
social life and independent living. The social benefit of the scheme is
obvious and is a practical measure that promotes inclusivity.

“A controversial proposal made to the working group reviewing the
scheme is that the travel pass should be limited to off-peak times.
This would negate many of the positive aspects of the scheme and
doesn’t appear to take into account the limited nature of travel
schemes in many areas of the country.

“The proposal to change the current system has created unnecessery
fear and worry. If the Government agree that this is a backward step
then the Minister For Transport needs to publicly say just that.

“Over the last five years funding for the scheme has stood still, but
fares have gone up across the board to meet higher fuel and
maintenance costs. Public bus and rail funding has been cut on
average by about 20% and semi state companies are struggling to
maintain a quality service with extraordinarily low subsidies compared
to our European counterparts.

“It is vital that public transport maintains its special place in
society as a service provider for all the community especially those
that are more vulnerable and isolated. The Government needs to end
the speculation and bring greater clarity to the Free Travel Pass
Scheme.”

Note to Editor

Peak travel-time restrictions were introduced in the 1960s and limited
free travel on certain routes during morning and evening rush hours.
The last of these restrictions were removed almost a decade ago.