Fares increases must be stopped – Labour
Fares increases must be stopped - Labour - The Labour Party
Labour Transport spokesperson Ciaran Ahern TD has condemned plans to raise public transport fares by 15% and called on the government to stop the increases that are way above the rate of inflation in the midst of a cost of living crisis.
Speaking in advance of the Labour Party Think In, Deputy Ahern said raising fares for public transport at a time that Government are spending €400mn to keep diesel under €2 beggars belief and highlights just how anti-climate and anti-worker this Government is.
Deputy Ahern said:
“Last week Government spent a further €400m on excise cuts for drivers – yet it won’t act to stop fare increases on commuters.
“Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are doubling down on fossil fuels when they should be encouraging people to use public transport.
“It’s anti-worker and it proves this Government’s failure to take any leadership on climate.
“These increases come in the wake of cost hikes for parents of children using the school transport scheme. Minister Chambers is robbing Peter to pay Paul while PAYE workers and their families are left squeezed.
“This change will disproportionately hit people on lower incomes at a time when government is going out of its way to spend money to protect hauliers and those who can afford to drive. Those on lower incomes will be once again hit. It’s an utterly regressive step.
“Keeping public transport affordable is key for commuters who are already facing spiralling costs from energy bills to food to housing.
“A 15% increase in public transport fares will disproportionately hit commuters and students, those who are already bearing the brunt of this Government’s failure to address the systemic issues driving the energy, housing and cost of living crisis.
“This is happening at a time when we need to keep fares low, and Labour wants to see a move towards free public transport particularly for students and young people. This is the level of ambition needed if we are serious about meeting our climate goals and protecting people’s pockets.
“If Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil could find €400mn to make diesel cheaper, they can and must find the money to make public transport commuting affordable.”