Waterford councillor calls for introduction of €9 monthly climate public transport ticket

Labour Party Councillor in Waterford, Seamus Ryan, has called for the introduction of a €9 monthly climate public transport ticket and for it to be trialled in the Déise county.

Cllr Ryan made the proposal at the recent Labour Party Conference, and in making it asked: “That this conference calls on the Government to introduce a €9 monthly climate transport ticket which will help to shift people away from using cars as Ireland seeks to meet climate by targets.” Cllr Ryan said his party wanted to see the introduction of a monthly, flat rate €9 ticket, with the aim of helping people make the move to public transport and make fuel-cost savings. He also said the measure would help Ireland meet its ever-distant emission targets.

Cllr Ryan said that, based on a similar scheme introduced in Germany, the ticket would entitle people across the country to unlimited travel, across all modes of public transport, for just €9 per month.

“If we are serious about achieving our net zero targets, we need carrots, not just sticks,” said Cllr Ryan.

“We need to take practical measures that will make a difference and we need to see leadership from the Government,” he added.

Cllr Ryan said figures made available to the Labour Party estimated that the carbon emissions savings of such a policy would be equivalent to removing 23,000 cars off Irish roads.

“It’s time this Government was brave enough to take radical steps towards a cleaner greener, future,” he said, before making the call for the ticket to be trialled in Waterford: “Let the Government take a brave step and introduce a practical measure that will reduce traffic emissions in our city and in Tramore, County Waterford.”