The long-promised flexible tax saver commuter ticket has been pushed back at least two years by the National Transport Authority (NTA) it has been revealed.
This delay was confirmed at a recent meeting between the NTA and Deputy Nash and who had been pressuring the Government parties and the NTA to bring in this option to ease the burden of transport costs on hybrid workers returning to the office two or three days per week.
“With flexible working become more-and-more widespread, a one-size-fits-all tax saver ticket is not going to work” Deputy Nash said.
“Hybrid workers from Louth and East Meath who have to commute to offices in Dublin two or three times a week are left with few options other than paying full-price fares at astronomical rates or paying for a full-time tax saver ticket that will cost over €2,000.
“The Minister promised last October that this flexible ticket was coming but now we are being told that it is not expected to be ready for another 2 years due to technical challenges.
“This is yet another devastating hammer-blow for people already facing rising costs in every aspect of their lives.”
The Youth Travel Card, announced in last year’s budget, was also discussed, with the NTA saying this will become available in early May.
This Travel Card will grant half price travel to people under 24 on public bus, rail and LUAS routes. However, due to a lack of Government funding, commercial operators such as Matthews may not be included within the scheme until at least September 2022.
In response to this news, the Louth TD said, “In Labour’s last Alternative Budget, I pushed for free public transport fares for young people. In response, the Government promised half-price fares for U- 24s.
“The NTA has confirmed to me in a meeting this week. that the new Youth Card for U-24s – which will guarantee half price fares on public transport – is set to be finally rolled out in early May.
“However, many young people in Louth who rely on private companies such as Matthews to get to work and college will have to wait longer to benefit. If private companies remain outside this scheme due to a lack of Government funding, the Youth Travel Card will remain useless to many, both in Louth and East Meath but across the country.”
