The Green Party has secured a continuation of the 20% fare reductions on public transport in today’s budget. This was first introduced as part of the government’s cost of living supports in May of this year and represents the first cuts to public transport since 1947.
Speaking on the continuation of reduced fares, Green Party TD for Wicklow, Deputy Steven Matthews said:
“My Green Party colleagues and I fought hard to secure the 20% reduction in public transport fares in response to the developing cost of living crisis earlier this year, with the fare reduction introduced in May. As the cost of living crisis continues and we face into what will be a difficult winter, the announcement of the continuation of these reductions until next year will mean more money in the pockets of people who use public transport in Wicklow. These measures will be particularly beneficial to those who use public transport, who stand to save hundreds, sometimes thousands of euros.
Deputy Matthews continued:
“The fare reduction comes in addition to the permanent 50% reduction on travel fares for young adults already secured by the party as part of last year's budget. These are amongst a range of measures which the Green Party are working on in government. Efforts are ongoing to ensure continued improvements in the frequency and spread of the public transport network in Wicklow and across Ireland.
“As well as reducing the cost of public transport, I am working to improve bus and rail services across all of County Wicklow and to extend the DART service to Wicklow Town. A series of new routes have been announced recently, including an hourly 131 bus service between Wicklow Town and Bray and a much faster 133 route from Wicklow to Dublin City Centre,” Deputy Matthews concluded.
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