Green Party Proposals

[berneyarms]

Originally Posted by Thomas J Stamp

more than do able in two years - the only way to bring any of the CIE companies finances back to stability is for the subvention to be run at realistic levels. Something which most of the party proposals have agreed upon.

once you have an agreed uniform funding model, all using leap cards, it becomes more attractive, usable, flexible and is a growth potential measure.

Whether it is doable or there is any political will to do it are two completely different things.

I remain unconvinced that the subvention level will be set at realistic levels.

FG certainly were of the view that passengers should pay more of the burden.

There has been no indication that any party would change the entire funding model to facilitate multi-mode single fares (i.e. move away from single operator fares and LUAS90 discount).

[Thomas J Stamp]

well, that's true, but lets not hoist the white flag just yet.

the FG plan for ever decreasing subsidy and for the fares box/rationalision has been dead since the local elections, and the mood from most of the parties is to increase the subsidy and in a time when there may be a recovery there can be no excuses for it - so long as it doesnt look as though all of it is going into a wage packet it should be sellable to the public.

this whole are is something which we will be pressing on.

[berneyarms]

Originally Posted by Thomas J Stamp

well, that's true, but lets not hoist the white flag just yet.

the FG plan for ever decreasing subsidy and for the fares box/rationalision has been dead since the local elections, and the mood from most of the parties is to increase the subsidy and in a time when there may be a recovery there can be no excuses for it - so long as it doesnt look as though all of it is going into a wage packet it should be sellable to the public.

this whole are is something which we will be pressing on.

Lest I gave the wrong impression, I certainly expect the subsidy to the three CIÉ companies to increase, but that will be to facilitate additional services. I just don't see the actual level of subsidy in proportion to passengers carried to increase significantly, which it would need to in order to facilitate the method of charging fares to change as you outlined above.

To be fair, it's clear that things are changing somewhat. We now only have three fares on DB which is much simpler than before, and that will probably simplify to two fares next. IE are moving to distance based zonal suburban fares and hopefully that will complete either with the next fare change or the one after.

But the single multi-trip fare within the city is a long way off I'm afraid - I just don't see it happening anytime soon. It would mean a big increase in PSO funding would be needed.

But do certainly keep the pressure on the politicians. It keeps them on their toes.