‘Measures will have a very real impact on people’s every day costs’ – Greens welcome Cost of Living package
The Green Party has welcomed a series of Government measures that will help reduce the cost of living in areas such as transport, energy and medicine.
The government has agreed to cut public transport fares by 20% from April until the end of the year, reduce the drugs payment scheme threshold to €80, bring forward the €10 increase in the Working Family Payment and reduce the caps for multiple children on school transport.
The government also decided to increase the €100 electricity bill credit to €200 (inclusive of VAT).
“These are welcome measures that will have a very real impact on people’s every day costs. While many of the causes of inflation are global in nature, it was important that the government took action to help people,” Minister Eamon Ryan said.
He added that the fare reduction would help encourage people back onto public transport where passenger numbers are only at 60% of their pre-pandemic levels.
The reduction means that an €85 return rail ticket between Dublin and Killarney will be reduced by €17, while a €2.50 Leap Card fare on Dublin Bus will be cut by 50c to €2. An €18.50 return ticket between Galway and Clifden would be reduced by €3.70.
The Government already agreed in Budget 2022 to introduce half-price travel for young people aged between 19 and 23 will get half price fares. This 20% reduction will be applied on top of that which means that a €5 daily return ticket will now cost just €2.
Green Party Transport spokesman, Brian Leddin, said the reduction in public transport fares was very welcome.
“This fare cut signals that this government is serious about reducing the cost of public transport. Coming on top of the fare reduction announced in Budget 2022, this measure will make it significantly cheaper for people to travel around our country,” he said.
“It also aligns with our ambitions to encourage more people to choose public transport, so that we have better, more liveable towns and cities, and that we strive to achieve our climate targets.”
