Green TD Steven Matthews has said that the Green Party’s measures to increase uptake of public transport have led to record-breaking figures for public transport use in 2023. Statistics published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) showed there was a 24% increase in passenger numbers on public transport services between 2022 and 2023. Welcoming the increase in public transport users in Wicklow and across the country, Deputy Matthews said:
“There is clearly demand for an expansion in public transport services and this has always been at the heart of my work as a TD.
“Over the last year, some of the positive initiatives introduced included a new late evening rail service between Dublin Connolly and Arklow, a huge increase in training programmes for bus/ train drivers and half-price fare reductions have been extended to include 24 and 25-year-olds.
“These largescale projects in conjunction with new local bus routes, increasing the number of daily services on a variety of routes and simple measures such as expanding the use of LEAP cards to new locations/ services have all contributed to the increased use of public transport in Wicklow.
“The Green Party’s 20% reductions in public transport fares and the introduction of half-price Leap Cards for 18-to 26-year-olds has made public transport more cost-effective and accessible for thousands of people across Wicklow.”
“For the remainder of the Dáil term the main projects I am working on include the extension of the DART to Wicklow Town. At the time of my election, this proposal was not on the table. It now is, and while it will take some time before this service is live, I am making good progress with Irish Rail to make it happen. Another priority is the provision of a Roundwood – Bray local bus service and negotiations for this are at an advanced stage with the National Transport Agency”, Deputy Matthews concluded.
Comments