Bus Fare Hikes Hurting Least Able to Pay - Crowe
Dublin South West TD
Seán Crowe has described the increase in public transport cash fares as
'deliberately targeting the poor and those least able to pay.'
He made his
comment following the release of new public transport fare levels that will
kick in after Christmas.
Deputy Seán Crowe
said:
"No matter
what spin or convoluted excuse is trotted out, the sad reality is that the new
cash fare increases will hit the poor and those least able to pay these
increases."
"Cash fares
for Dublin Bus are going up by as much as 25c. This will mean for many that
their weekly bus commute will cost a significant amount higher if paid in cash
at the end of the week. This is happening at a time when wage increases are
stagnant particularly for those on low incomes."
"While there
are some savings for Leap card users there will also increases in shorter
distance fares. Surely a 'sure fire way' not
to improve our bus services is to make them less affordable to commuters."
"Dublin
Bus has made huge strides in the last few years despite the cuts in
subvention from successive governments.
The Government and Bus Átha Cliath need to encourage more people to travel by
public transport. But further transport hikes like the ones proposed will
inevitably drive more and more cash strapped customers away."
"The reality for many commuters is
that they cannot afford these new increases and the Government and Bus
Átha Cliath need to take this obvious reality on board, before these new
increases are implemented. These increases
will overnight make public transport less appealing and with no discernible
improvement in service. The Government and Bus Átha Cliath need to look again
at this negative proposal."