Free buses proposed for Cork city
There was broad approval amongst councillors for a pilot scheme to scrap bus fares on selected city routes following a motion at Cork City Council's January meeting.
A pilot scheme to scrap fares on Cork City bus routes is going to be proposed to transport minister Éamon Ryan by Cork City Council following broad cross-party approval for a motion by Worker’s Party councillor Ted Tynan at Monday night’s city council meeting.
Cllr Tynan’s motion asked that the council “call on the Minister for Transport and the Environment, Éamon Ryan, to instruct the National Transport Authority to abolish fares on bus services in the city.”
However, many councillors seemed in favour of requesting a pilot scheme, with the routes 202, 203 and 207 being mentioned.
Green approach to transport “all stick and no carrot”
The Department of Transport under Green Party Minister Éamon Ryan had been trying to encourage citizens away from car use with “a lot of stick and not enough carrot,” Fine Gael councillor Shane O’Callaghan said, speaking in support of the free bus plan.
“There is a lot of emphasis on removing parking spaces and similar measures to reduce car dependency, but why not try something like this that can act as a carrot.”
However, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle was one of the few councillors who spoke who did not support the notion of free bus services for the city.
He said ensuring the National Transport Authority’s Bus Connects plans were delivered, to provide a reliable and punctual bus service, was the way to ensure people used public transport.
“Policy already exists in the form of carrots: transport costs have been significantly reduced,” Cllr Boyle said. “We could have free transport in the morning and they’d still be sitting in gridlock. We’d still have ghost buses if we haven’t managed to employ enough bus drivers and ensure staffing for a reliable service.”
Fellow Green Party councillor Oliver Moran did support the motion but said it wasn’t “a silver bullet. While it might seem attractive to cut all fares for public transport, unless workers arrive at work on time, it doesn’t matter what price the bus fare is. It’s not price: that isn’t the major barrier.”
However Cllr Lorna Bogue pointed out that the bus cost her €967 per year and that the price does remain a barrier to some.
“I support abolishing the fares in the city,” Lord Mayor Cllr Deirdre Forde said. “A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.”
“Bus Connects shot itself in the foot from the very beginning and I think people are fed up and would like to see a bit of action. Why not pilot at least one route? Let’s try it: at least we’re taking action.”
The council resolved to send a proposal to the Department of Transport suggesting a free bus pilot scheme for Cork city, and also to discuss the proposal at a future traffic and transport Strategic Policy Committee meeting.