Transport Minister Eamon Ryan's claim that making public transport free would cause an "increased level of unnecessary trips" has been slammed as "ridiculous" by a Dublin City Councillor.
The Green Party leader made the comments in response to a parliamentary question from People Before Profit’s Brid Smith, saying that a free public transport scheme would cost a minimum additional €540m in Exchequer funding annually.
He added that free fares "would not substantially boost the sustainability of the transport system”.
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Independent Councillor for Ballymun-Finglas Noeleen Reilly has said she "couldn’t disagree more" that making public transport trips free would cause unnecessary journeys.
"I’m not sure if Minister Ryan uses public transport but no one is getting a bus or going on the Luas unless they have to," Councillor Reilly said. "Sometimes it is not the most pleasant of environments and in recent times has not been as reliable as it should be."
She continued: "We need to encourage people out of cars and onto Public Transport and we need to do that through a number of measures one of which is Free Public Transport, providing a safe and clean environment for travellers and a good working environment for staff.
"I’m surprised at Minister Ryan’s comments given the success of Free or Reduced cost public transport across Europe and also varies from the position of Councillors within his own party."
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