FF reveals plans to help commuters
Published on: 26 January 2020
Fianna Fáil has revealed extensive plans to support commuters if elected to Government.
The party’s general election manifesto lists a range of costed measures that will make a real difference to the daily commute for those living in the commuter belt, including:
- Investment in Park & Ride facilities,
- Piloting bus lanes on motorways;
- Investment in reliable bus and rail information systems;
- Establishing a National Infrastructure Commission to set clear targets on key transport projects and ensure these targets are met; and
- Promoting flexible working hours
According to Meath Councillor and General Election Candidate for Meath East, Deirdre Geraghty-Smith, “the plight of commuters living outside of Dublin has been totally ignored by the outgoing Fine Gael and Independent Government. Meath has the largest proportion of commuters in the country with over 30,000 people leaving the county each day for work.
“A recent survey by Meath County Council shows that 41% of Meath commuters would take a pay cut to work nearer to home. Almost half of participants said they leave the house before 7am to get to work. And the situation is getting worse year on year. Many Meath residents spend 10 to 15 hours on average commuting every week. Others spend even more time in cars, buses and trains getting to and from work, struggling with commuter congestion, unable to find parking and feeling utterly defeated by the end of the week.
“There is a glaring need for a change of policy when it comes to commuting. I have also been saying for some time now that a key requirement is to modernise our approach to working arrangements. Thanks to modern technology, a working day does not have to mean 9am – 5pm in the office. I am delighted that my party colleagues have agreed to my proposals for the promotion of flexible working hours to ease the battle of the daily commute. This simple but important measure could be a game changer for many working families.
“Fianna Fáil is promising a range of measures to make public transport more reliable, affordable and attractive. We will invest in vital public transport services and increase the Public Service Obligation subvention by €30million annually. We will invest €10million in new Park & Ride facilities; pilot bus lanes on motorways with an initial investment of €1million; invest €5millon in Traffic Information System; and introduce a Kids Go Free scheme on public transport so that all under 18s travel for free on public bus and rail services. And we will create a transport section within An Garda Síochána to crack down on antisocial behaviour.
“It is patently unfair, for example, that people living in Ratoath, Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin have to pay significantly higher bus fares to commute to the city centre simply because they are not served by the Dublin bus network. Greystones is further from the city centre than these towns and yet is served by Dublin Bus.
“This is about improving the quality of life for commuters and addressing the current inequalities that exist. We have been listening to the concerns of Meath commuters who have been increasingly frustrated with public transport over the last number of years. We need to build a safe, easy and positive experience for commuters.”