Transport Operators want peak-time Free Travel restricted

Some people in this country have a weird chip on their shoulder about other people getting any kind of public service if they themselves don't, they also seem to have a very exaggerated idea of the cost of such programmes as evidenced by the "unaffordable MASS handouts" comment above.
There is nothing unaffordable or 'mass' about any handouts here Ireland has one of the most modest welfare states in the developed world, definitely most modest in Europe, were the only one besides the US not to have universal healthcare for example (though we are getting towards it in a clumsy and highly inefficient way)

IMO the problem with the card is simple: Good idea poorly executed
Just restricting the times makes no sense, the argument of old people crowding the busses during peak time is ridiculous the reason that was stopped to begin with was to ensure people didn't have to panic if a bus was late cos they didn't have any money on them to get home, and thus end up stranded for hours because of an irrational rule. If CIE wants to really save money then we could start by cutting out about 1/3 of the fat that makes up it's various bodies.

I'm on rush hour transport every day and I don't see this supposed problem of greys blocking up the seats.


One simple reform would do a lot for it: Eliminate it for all but those on pensions or permanent disabilities