20% Tax break on public transport announced.

con___manx1

What good is it to the thousands of people that its just not an option to use?

I work approx 50 k from work with no suitable public transport. Im paying through my hat for diesel.

Working from home is not an option.

What good is discounts on the luas and dart when most of the country cant use it?

Im sick of this government. They really need to wake up about this carbon tax. The public transport infrastructure is a joke in this country.

Dempo1

It's not a tax break OP it's a discount/ price reduction but I hear you , nothing for renters, middle/low income workers and a 20% public transport discount utterly meaningless to rural dwellers and people like you with long distances to work. The nearest shopping town to my home is 20km.

The €200 off electric bill appreciated but this government utterly out of touch and if I hear this nonsense "change providers, shop around" , I'll scream 😱

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118613162#Comment_118613162

"Shop around"

Yeah, that was a good one...

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614454#Comment_118614454

It amazes me how some people think by shopping around , somehow magically results in vast savings, I've personally looked at bonkers for energy deal, they essentially told me, I'd be bonkers to switch as I'm a low usage customer. Besides all utility companies have hiked prices .

Moving health insurance (if you can even afford it to start), not straightforward, existing health condition, age etc

Mortgages, very complex, inordinate amount of paperwork of time and not always an option particularly anyone who had mortgage difficulties in the past etc.

Pie in the sky notion to shop around at the moment.

daheff

This discount is unusual to mind.

When did public transport fares last increase?

Sceptic in me says this is to incentivize people to go back to office using public transport. Get people onto the train/bus etc and hope they suck up prices going back to normal in a few months.

Question though. Will anybody with a season ticket get a refund or just have to suck up the sunk cost?

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614511#Comment_118614511

I agree generally but just in relation to refund for those who've already paid for season tickets claiming a refund, its been confirmed by Minister Mc grath they will be able to, how , I don't know but presumably, information to be released soon 😏

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614454#Comment_118614454

...the most ignorant thing to hear coming from a politician, their ideologies are failing, and they dont know what to do about it....

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614528#Comment_118614528

Your completely correct , I was watching the late debate last night, FG TD , Fergus o Dowd, he seems the decent sort in fairness but my god, utterly clueless on how the social welfare system works, entitlements, eligibility etc, it's actually shocking how little elected representatives seem to know about the real world. 😳

timmyntc

It's to keep the greens onside - reducing carbon taxes is a non-runner, neither is fuel prices, because it incentivizes more carbon release or some other BS

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614541#Comment_118614541

Flemings comment has just further outraged me, theres clearly an element in government thats just completely disconnected from most citizens, our inability to address our most serious issues, health and housing, its a clear indication, they truly dont know what to do, and the longer this goes on, the more difficult it will be to resolve, its very disturbing to watch....

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614554#Comment_118614554

we clearly need to get the hell away from fossil fuels asap, but we currently dont know how to truly do this, theres currently very few, if any viable alternatives

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614640#Comment_118614640

I was livid and that Buffoon is one of my local TD,'S, I'm embarrassed to say 🙄, he got rightly lampooned across media outlets and indeed locally here in the Midlands. The one thing he had to do was sort out rising insurance costs and he's made a balls of that .

Absolute Buffoon of the highest order

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614663#Comment_118614663

its a truly disturbing comment though, he truly believes in what he said, and i suspect hes not alone in government either...

insurance is a mess, its become a highly dangerous industry, we need it, but its just extracting wealth at an astonishing rate now...

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614681#Comment_118614681

He does believe it and another former minister, now independent TD, Dennis naughton came out with the same nonsense yesterday. Of course in an ideal world we're people were not under immediate pressure, shopping around sensible but it's not always practical, particularly in the current climate and high inflation hiking up costs generally.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118613162#Comment_118613162

The nearest shopping town to my home is 20km.

You knew this when buying your home though, yeah? It's not like it came as a surprise, and was probably one of the reasons you chose to live there. You cannot have your cake and eat it.

There are pros and cons to living rurally, if living so far away from shops and supermarkets was such a critical factor then you chose poorly when deciding where to live.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614750#Comment_118614750

funnily enough, some shops fail and shut their doors, from time to time, individual blaming is another common tactic in the justification of such comments, some folks actually need to live relatively remotely, simply for their well being, i know i could never live in a busy city, it would probably lead to a break down eventually

sergioaguero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614511#Comment_118614511

irish rail seem to increase their price every year. the cost to use the train is an actual disgrace in Ireland

zell12

I think this is great, as it incentives more to use public transport, create a greater demand for bus services, more new routes will develop, good for the future. This is a universal discount for all users.

Also 'shop around' is good advice - the power is in the consumer's hands in this market economy. The more people that move providers/groceries/services, the more competition there will be, etc.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614750#Comment_118614750

Ridiculous comment, I purchased my home 20 years ago at a time were affordability in Dublin (were I'm from) was impossible, the notion there's a sudden housing and affordability crisis is absolute nonsense.

I drove from Rural Laois to Swords were I then worked for 4 years before the concept of a bypass existed. I made the sarcafices then, I don't expect a slap on the back or a slap in the face either , I certainly don't expect government handouts either but do expect fairness. You obviously live in an ivory tower and I'm thrilled for you , my decision to purchase rural (which I love) was primarily because I couldn't realistically afford to buy in Dublin or surrounds. Clearly governments would love me to have paid rent for twenty years , I say F**K that.

I'd have reasonably expected by 2022 a half decent public transport would be available newr me and not a thing has been done to improve it.

Glib nonsense like your comment highlights exactly what I've always thought, an absolute total lack of understanding of rural living. Would I swap it, absolutely not but neither do I intend to stop shopping for food , 20km away or not 🙄

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614775#Comment_118614775

Won't live in a city......gives out about the pros of living in a city.

Like I said, pros and cons. If you can't live in a busy city (we don't really have any busy cities in Ireland, but that's another argument) then you have to deal with the fallout that comes with the whole package, the first of which is further distance from amenities.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058232404/20-tax-break-on-public-transport-announced

What good is discounts on the luas and dart when most of the country cant use it?

so they shouldn't have done it? it doesn't benefit you, so it's pointless?

if they'd reduced excise on diesel, you'd probably have thought that was great. i don't use diesel, so i'd be coming in saying 'what good is that to the thousands of people who drive petrol cars or use public transport?'

anyway, it's more than just luas and dart. it applies to bus eireann and irish rail services too.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614843#Comment_118614843

You weren't forced to buy where you bought. That was your choice. The fact that you wouldn't change location now also proves that your belly-aching about not being able to buy in Dublin is just lip service.

I'd have reasonably expected by 2022 a half decent public transport would be available newr me and not a thing has been done to improve it.

You don't expect any government handouts (weird, given the forum we're in), yet you bought 20km away from the nearest town and expect the government to provide you with public transport? If it's not feasible or economically viable to provide public transport to an area then it'll never happen unless something changes.

I understand exactly what rural living entails, which is why I don't live rurally. I couldn't live so far away from all the services and amenities that come with urban living. But I don't bitch and moan and gripe when that decision comes back to bite me in the ass, unlike some. You chose to live where you live. Even now, you say you wouldn't change that. If you're unwilling to give up the positives associated with that, then it precludes you from moaning about the negatives. It makes you sound like an entitled whingebag. If I started giving out about farm schemes, subsidies and EU payments I'd, rightfully, be told where to go.

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614478#Comment_118614478

But it does, if you havent switched energy provider in more than 12 months chances are you are missing out on a 40% rate discount.

Switching mortgage isnt complex at all, some basic paper work.

If you dont want to fine or if you have specific circumstances that make it harder for you that suck, but for the vast majority a small bit of work and engagement will save them plenty.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614928#Comment_118614928

Words actually escape me, other than your conveniently focussing on amenities and NOT the over all cost of living affecting everyone and not just rural dwellers. You actually believe the entire population from rural Ireland should up sticks, move to city's, get pillaged on outrageous rents , your living in cuckoo land.

This is a cost of living crisis, not an access to amenities crisis 🙄

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614946#Comment_118614946

As I've explained, in a normal situation yes, it's always wise to look at switching providers, this is not normal times, ALL energy suppliers have hiked prices and also worth adding, those struggling possibly in arrears which makes switching a little complicated. Again, not normal times

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615045#Comment_118615045

doesnt matter if they have all hiked prices, if you arent getting a 40% discount then you are paying too much.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058232404/20-tax-break-on-public-transport-announced

Why are you angry at the price reduction ?

They could easily do that and other things it wasn't a one or the other issue. I assume in reality you are just one of these people who hates anything that's not a car on the road.

spaceHopper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614478#Comment_118614478

Check you loan to value ratio, we went from 80% to 50% because of doing an extension but mostly because of price rises. Because of all the insulation we put in during the extension and a new boiler we went from a C3 to B3 and qualified for AIB's green mortgage. Cost me 125 for valuation and 150 for a BER. One form the fill in and send in the valuation report and BER cert (I made the mistake of sending in the BER report) and we save about 150 a month. I think interest rates will go up so we fixed for 5 years too.

Also hassle all your suppliers, I got VM do discount our BB for 9 moths and I'll do the same this year. Those two changes will save us about 2000 this year.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615097#Comment_118615097

I'll give the benefit of doubt and assume you've not checked recently, I have . Not a single, I repeat, not a single supplier on Bonkers could offer anywhere near a 40% discount. I'll go further , without exception, every single supplier more expensive than my current tariff with EI, infact, Hillariously, 2 were actually €64:and €120 more expensive over 12 months

Bonkers that , 40% increase more like it, not discount 😏

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614796#Comment_118614796

You can get Limerick to Dublin for €30 return which is a grand price. Similar price to Cork and €12 return to Ennis for a nice day out. Even if you buy it in the station the price is €64 which is up only €8 in 15 years.

64 is steep but I doubt anyone is paying it as you would be stupid to not book online these days.

zell12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615147#Comment_118615147

SSE are offering €250 credit to new customers, this would cancel out their marginally higher (than EI) rates for low usage customers

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615147#Comment_118615147

i switched last week,

See 2 below, energia has cash back of 135 euro aswell.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615231#Comment_118615231

And to be fair, I hadn't considered the cash back offers so I'll grant you that, I'm just simply saying moving , shopping around etc not necessarily the answer for everyone.

Re the cash back, its normally involves a tricky T&C and I saw such offers but on closer inspection, higher unit rate and a 2 year commitment required, they also don't include a fixed rate and this is were folks will get caught .

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615264#Comment_118615264

Again, apples and oranges , I'm not saying saving are not achievable, I'm saying its not achievable for everyone, particularly low usage customers, those in arrears etc.

You would cry if you saw my annual bill and what your going to pay annually, I'll not spend in 6 years, albeit admittedly I live alone etc etc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615035#Comment_118615035

You're the one bitching about having to travel so far to the amenities, not me. You chose to live 20km from the nearest 'shopping town'. Talk about missing the point. You're literally inventing an argument in your own head, one that I'm not making, and arguing against it. I never suggested anyone, never mind everyone, should just move to the city. I'm saying if you chose to live miles away from the shops because it's quieter, cheaper, healthier and better for the auld mental health, then you can't turn around and give out about the shops being so far away. That was your decision, nobody else's. If you want to live closer to the shops, then you must make sacrifices elsewhere, it's that simple.

Which brings me to my next point......it's cheaper to live rurally, in almost every single aspect of life, than it is to live in a city. The cost of living in a city far exceeds that of living in the country. You giving out about the cheap DART tickets is like me giving out about the price of the pint in your local, or a pound of rashers in your butchers. Hell, I bet ya the diesel is even cheaper where you are. We can run the DART out by your house as soon as you start spending €6 for a pint and €1.80 for a litre of fuel.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615284#Comment_118615284

Translation: "I'm already paying sweet FA on energy, I have the cheapest deal going but that's too much and I want it reduced"

What was it you said about Ivory Towers again?

sergioaguero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615169#Comment_118615169

booking on line is more expensive than going to the office if you go after 9.30..

a return ticket to city centre from Monastervin for the day is 30 euro, plus parking at the station 4 euro...

3 days in the office in Dublin works out at 102. that is an utter rip off no two ways about it

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615428#Comment_118615428

How much is it if you buy it at the station ?

sergioaguero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615476#Comment_118615476

22.50 after 9.30, not a lot of people know this, they go to the machine and pay 30 euro

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615566#Comment_118615566

It's weird that the machine and online are the same too. Or maybe not I have little experience with rural (sorta rural) stations.

It's still seems steep for anyone hoping to use it as a commuter train though. I assume the only option is buying a pass but that wouldn't suit WFH people like yourself.

sergioaguero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615609#Comment_118615609

https://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/no-flexi-tax-saver-ticket-for-staff-returning-to-the-office-part-time-41302868.html

this would have been brilliant, but typical ireland it was scrapped

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616045#Comment_118616045

It's frustrating that we can't do stuff that has already been done other places. It's not like we have to invent something radical.

sergioaguero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616107#Comment_118616107

laughable to say it was too complex after going along for nearly 2 years saying it was all on track...

on the main page on the NTA website

“We take our role and responsibility in reducing the effects of climate change very seriously at the NTA. Being climate brave means taking bold steps towards a carbon-neutral future, and we strive every day to redefine the transport sector’s role in the lives of Irish people. Through better land-use and transport planning, we aim to bring public transport to as many people as possible in order to reduce the need for personal vehicles which are harmful to the environment. The World Health Organization states that 92% of people around the world breathe air quality which falls short of the recommended guidelines, but together we can shift attitudes toward more sustainable methods of movement, and by doing so we can make the quality of air we breathe healthier for everyone.”

A message from our CEO

such utter nonsense, they would have that ticket available now if they really believed that

MOH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118614511#Comment_118614511

The new 90 minute fare for Dublin effectively introduced a stealth 11% increase in the majority of single bus journeys, albeit with most of the fare increase deferred "for an introductory period until early 2022".

Saudades

Dublin Bus reduced their single fares by 8% last month.

A single journey used to be 2.50, now it's 2.30 (when using a Leap Card).

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616626#Comment_118616626

Isn't that a temporary reduction after a recent increase though ?

Saudades

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616672#Comment_118616672

Yes it's a promotion which will run until March 2022. I'm not sure what the previous poster is referring to when they said 11% increase.

In 2018 a single journey over 13 stops was 2.60, then reduced to 2.50, and frozen until this year. I don't remember the last increase - it has been years.

con___manx1

wench

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118616791#Comment_118616791

There was a third fare €2.25 which has been abolished and rolled into the €2.50 fare now, hence the increase mentioned

The last fare increase was Dec 2019, they skipped 2020 and resumed in Dec 2021

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118615343#Comment_118615343

My my that post must have been exhausting, I gave you a while to recoupriate.

You've clearly not a clue about rural living or indeed the 10's of thousands of families who HAD to go further afield to purchase an affordable home but also had to continue to work in Dublin or indeed other locations quite a distance from were they Chose to live. Perhaps you think the housing affordability crisis only happened recently 🤔, it absolutely did not .

Of course people choose to live rurally but they reasonably expected that in 2022 a decent public transport system would be in place or available. In the absence of that, a car is needed , particularly to get to work. I personally know people spending up to €50 per week extra to get to work , perhaps loose change to some but certainly not to all.

Aside from those who "Chose" to to live rural , there's as many who've lived rurally all their lives, shocking as that concept might be to you.

I'm actually a Dub, now living rurally for over 20 years , I certainly don't expect hand outs but do expect fairness.

This all aside , what about Renter's in Dublin and generally, what did they see in the last budget and more recent announcements 🤔, that's easy , Feck all as did middle earners.

You've clearly not an iota of an understanding wether it be those with mortgages, Renting, Middle income earners, young children, those living in rural Ireland which makes me wonder, do you actually live in Cuckoo Land 🤔

You've ignored every single one of the points I've raised, and refused to really make any points of your own other than "I used to be a Dub, now I'm a culchie....you haven't a clue what it's like and I know everything", so there's not much point in continuing the conversation. Also, for the record, your last post has SFA to do with State benefits or a break in PT fees. You're basically just saying "This doesn't benefit me....where's my slice of the action" like a crybaby. You sound like one of the Healy-Rae's ranting about 'dem lot up der in Dub-a-lin".

Not everything can benefit everyone equally.

Just because those who use PT get a bit of a bonus, that doesn't mean you're entitled to one somewhere else.

Not everyone can be served by PT.

You can't have every street with a bus/train station, hell you can't even have one in every single town.

Simply not realistic to expect every single village to be ably served.

Expecting a quid pro quo every time someone else gets a bit of financial relief also makes you sound like a Healy-Rae. That's not unfair, that's just life.

Pretty much everything is more expensive in Urban communities. As mentioned previously, if you really did think that everything should be equal in this regard, you'd have a long history of advocating for cheaper everything for us city-slickers, then, wouldn't you? I mean it would be farcical and hypocritical in the extreme to give out about not benefiting from A while continuing to reap the benefits of B, C, D, E and F....wouldn't it?

You've clearly not an iota of an understanding wether it be those with mortgages, Renting, Middle income earners, young children, those living in rural Ireland which makes me wonder, do you actually live in Cuckoo Land 🤔

And yet, of the five items you've listed, I'm directly involved in all of them bar one. Imagine that, it's almost as if your ill-informed, entrenched assumptions about others can be completely wide of the mark.

Imagine that.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118634492#Comment_118634492

Calm yourself, you getting terribly excited , seriously some rural fresh air would do you the world of good 😏 I've actually no idea who started this thread in state benefits forum but we agree on one thing, this thread in the wrong forum, I can move it and actually have moved on, you should try it, moving on .