Peter Lazenby
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THE Irish government is planning to continue with a 20 per cent cut in fares on public transport — and the British government should follow suit by cutting fares, a rail union said today.
Dublin introduced the cut earlier this year to encourage people back onto public transport following the pandemic lockdown.
Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said he is very keen to retain the cut next year as “something that makes sense in terms of climate change, the utilisation of public transport. It is important for young people in particular.”
Union TSSA, representing rail white-collar workers in Britain, says the Westminster government should cut fares too.
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “I’m delighted to see this initiative from the government in Dublin. It is the right way forward for a number of reasons.
“Retaining this cut in fares for public transport across the network not only helps build the country’s economic recovery from Covid but does so in a way which emphasises the central role our rail and public transport play in tackling the climate emergency.
“Not only will the retention of this cut in fares help millions deal with the escalating cost of living crisis but it will directly lead to a recovery in post-pandemic passenger numbers.
“It should also be a signal to the government in Westminster that reducing services is a totally wrong-headed approach.
“During the pandemic we saw with crystal clarity the vital role played by our rail and bus network and the brave workers on the front line.
“Ireland has the right approach to recovery, and the British government should follow that lead without delay.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We are committed to helping passengers during the cost of living crisis. The Great British Rail Sale saw more than one million rail tickets slashed by up to 50 per cent, saving passengers over £7 million and getting more people back on the railway.
“Railcards and season tickets — including flexi-seasons which we launched last summer — continue to offer significant discounts and help passengers to spread the cost of travel.
“The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail will modernise how the outdated fares, ticketing and retailing system works to simplify and improve the passenger experience.”
