Cork East Fine Gael TD, David Stanton, has welcomed the extension, by Bus Eireann, of its city and suburban commuter tickets to the Carrigtwohill area. This will provide for substantial savings for people living in Carrigtwohill who travel by bus to Cork City for work and education.
“Recently I wrote to Bus Eireann requesting they examine the possibility of extending their commuter tickets to Carrigtwohill, Midleton/Ballinacurra and Watergrasshill. All these places are approximately the same distance from Cork city as other areas such as Crosshaven and Fountainstown, which are included in Bus Eireann commuter services. Inclusion in the Monthly City and Suburban Commuter Tickets could mean savings of almost €200 for those people who take the bus to Cork City and travel on to another location in the city.
“Bus Eireann have responded to me advising that Carrigtwohill has been included in the commuter ticket zone which will allow bus users from here to access much cheaper fares. Carrigtwohill bus travellers can also avail of the recently reduced Leap Car, as can bus users from Glanmire. Commuters from Carrigtwohill (Green Zone) can now avail of a 16% discount on single fares and also 24 hour and 7 day passes.
“I have been advised, that while it is not possible at present to include Midleton, Watergrasshill and other areas in the Leap Card zone, Bus Eireann are examining the possible extension of the Leap Card or other ticketing options to these areas in the future.
“Finally, it is also worth noting that Bus Eireann will also be making changes to children’s fares in August this year. Free fares will be extended by one year for young children, allowing free travel until their 4th birthday and children’s fares, previously only available up to the age of 16, are now to be extended to 16, 17 and 18 years olds.
“I warmly welcome all the above changes being brought in by Bus Eireann and I am confident that they will encourage more members of the public to avail of public transport. I look forward also to the possible extension of cheaper fares to bus users in Midleton, Ballinacurra, Watergrasshill and beyond,” concluded Deputy Stanton.