Tallaght based TD Seán Crowe is calling on Minister Leo Varadkar to work with the Oireachtas Transport Committee on Transport, Unions and CIE to develop a new coordinated strategy to improve public transport across the state. His comments come in response to a public statement from the Minister, who this week said that despite emergency funding being put in place public transport fares might be actually raised further.

The Tallaght based Deputy believes that a joined up strategy is needed in order to ensure a quality service that is both sustainable and good value for both the State and the public.

Deputy Crowe said: “Minister Varadkar accepts that fare increases are discouraging people from using public transport and that this is in part responsible for the need for emergency funding yet inexplicably he still thinks it might be necessary to raise fares.

“It is important that we have a safe, reliable and affordable public transport system as clearly many people are unwilling or unable to pay more for a potentially weakened or worse service.

“The Minister needs to work with the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and interested groups and individuals to develop a strategy that promotes public transport and makes it a desirable option for people in urban and rural settings.

“This should be done by making the service more safe, accessible, varied and affordable and not be over pricing a system that is already considered far too expensive by many commuters.”