Transport Committee chair calls for free public transport in Dublin

New chair of Dublin City Council’s Transport Committee and Independent councillor Noeleen Reilly is calling on the Minister for Transport to introduce free public transport in Dublin.

Reilly says that free public transport will help reduce carbon emissions and decrease cost of travel for citizens.

Speaking today she said: “It appears that the Green Party’s only answer to climate change is to tax hard working families.

“Families that are already struggling with the increases in the cost of living and in particular fuel,” she said.

Last June, the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action recommended a feasibility study on free public transport in Ireland. However, no study has yet taken place.

“We are in a climate crisis and a cost-of-living crisis and that is a worrying place to be if you are a low/middle income family with no disposable income,” Reilly said.

“Free public transport in Dublin would ensure that everyone has access to buses, trains or the Luas regardless of Income.

“It would reduce congestion on the roads, improve fuel efficiency and reduces air pollution.

“Unless we reduce our Greenhouse Gas emissions we will be fined by the European Union.

“It is time to tax a more positive and progressive approach and reduce travels costs for people instead of imposing taxes as a way of reducing our emissions.”