Budget 2024: €3.5bn plan should see rail project progress in Cork

A TOTAL of €3.5bn has been provided to the Department of Transport as part of Budget 2024 which will support the progress of projects such as the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme (CACR) and the purchase of 101 electric double-deck buses for Cork, Limerick and Galway.

Among the headline measures announced for transport yesterday was an extension of the Young Adult Card, giving young people a 50% discount in public transport fares for two more years.

Budget 2024 also announced that this scheme will now benefit 19-25 year olds up to their 26th birthday. Currently the discount ends when a person reaches 24.

The measure comes alongside the 20% public transport fare reductions for all, originally introduced as a temporary cost-of-living measure, which has now been extended for another year.

Following the Budget announcement, Labour Party candidate for the city’s South East Ward Peter Horgan said he welcomed the extension of the Young Adult Card but said he believed the Government’s decision not to adopt Labour’s €9 Climate Ticket proposal, allowing unlimited public transport access for €9 a month, was a missed opportunity.

“If introduced, our Climate Ticket would help people make the move to public transport, save costs on fuel, and help Ireland meet our emission targets.

“Imagine the impact that would have in Cork city of reducing the traffic jams. It's not anti-car, it's pro-commuter to help with costs and ensure they are supported," Mr Horgan said.

The allocation of €3.5bn to the Department of Transport, on a par with what was provided for 2023, includes €360m for walking and cycling infrastructure next year, €937m for the protection and renewal of the roads system, over €200m for the development of new road projects, as well as €220m for bus projects and €200m for rail across the country.

The Department said the funding allocation will allow for the purchase of 70 new electric double-deck buses for Dublin and 101 electric double-deck buses for cities outside Dublin covering Limerick, Galway and Cork.

“I am delighted that we can continue to extend and improve the historic fare reductions, which are now heading into their third year and particularly pleased that we could extend the 50% Young Adult Card out to 24 and 25 year olds,” Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said, speaking after the Budget was announced.

“We have also secured a commitment to review transport fares for under 18s and my ambition is that we can move towards zero cost travel for children and teenagers in 2025.” 

Mr Ryan said the funding will also ensure that the Government can “keep moving at speed and scale” with its “transformative public transport ambitions”.