Time for a serious review on the Free Travel Pass System?

InAtFullBack

The recent expansion/improvement to public transport routes, while welcomed, have brought about an unintended consequence in rural Ireland. Unfortunately via the Free Travel Pass system the new routes have opened up easier means to deal illegal drugs and with lack of supports from the law, services have now become literal zombie buses.

A family member of mine drives for TFI, who operate via private contactors, fulfil many of the expanded and improved bus routes throughout Ireland, especially rural Ireland. He is working beyond his retirement years and is considering chucking the job in because of the ongoing anti-social behaviour on these services he drives.

Last month he was physically assaulted because he confronted a passenger who had mistakenly got off at the incorrect stop. The passenger decided to kick and punch the side of the bus in protest when the bus departed the stop. He (driver) stopped the bus and confronted the passenger asking them to stop acting out only for the passenger to land the 71 year old driver a punch in the face.

The driver reported the incident to TFI and his private contractor employers who both effectively blamed the driver for confronting the unruly passenger. Open drug dealing, passengers high as kites, foaming at the mouth are occasional occurrences - and in one case last year a passenger openly defalcated into the storage hold underneath the back seats of the bus. The driver has the responsibility for the upkeep of the bus, so yeah - a 71 year old man had to clean that c**p up. Every incident he says is all down to passengers who hold a free travel pass.

With all of the above in mind, is it high time that drug addicts and criminals who hold a free travel pass have them revoked? Not only is it making working life hell for the drivers, but other passengers too who want to do the right thing and 'travel green'. Finally, as a parent of youngish kids who I would entertain the thought of using the bus to get to the next town/village - I won't anymore as they shouldn't witness these folk open drug deal and consume.

Is there a case of having a serious review and crackdown on who is allowed use the bus/train/tram for free in Ireland? Take away free travel passes from them? Meanwhile there are terminal cancer patients who pay extraordinary sums for transport to and from treatment appointments. Priorities in this country are really upside-down in many ways.

Thoughts?

joseywhales

I mean my thoughts are that he should be allowed to carry a tazer and electrocute them into submission but unfortunately it's not compatible with the law. I think the bus should have CCTV and passengers identified and travel pass revoked, summarily at the judgement of the contractor and with no redress.

NIMAN

Are free travel passes not only available to those who have reached a certain age?

InAtFullBack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123271689#Comment_123271689

My understanding is over-18s. Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or carer.

NIMAN

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123271691#Comment_123271691

Ok.

I thought you had to be a pensioners to get a free travel pass.

InAtFullBack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123271683#Comment_123271683

CCTV is rocky ground when cases get to court.

InAtFullBack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123271694#Comment_123271694

Pensioners high on drugs would be a selling point for getting passengers on to public transport in Ireland. The entertainment would be epic!

JP Liz V1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123271694#Comment_123271694

I think disability allowance and carer allowance also have free travel

ben36

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123271689#Comment_123271689

People on disability allowance get them.So if you're a drug addict or ex drug addict on a methadone programme you're given a free travel pass i presume to collect your methadone on a daily basis or counselling or whatever they need.

Packrat

In my area it's the local doler alcos/bums from one town going to the next one daydrinking who are using it.

I got banned from CA at one stage when the service started for suggesting this would be the outcome.

There have been reports of dealers and users using the service but I've yet to hear this from a verified source.

The time schedules they run don't coincide with anything a working taxpayer could use.

I think CCTV would be a pretty obvious start. In my work we have it in all vehicles and it has prevented a couple of attempted fraudulent compo cases. How they deal with the legality I don't know.

beachhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058402928/time-for-a-serious-review-on-the-free-travel-pass-system

What you describe didn't start happening because the gov made changes to the free travel system.Its been going in for years.Maybe you have become eligible for the pass and didn't see "events" before or living in a public transport deprived area

Flaneur OBrien

What hellhole do you hail from?

I live in the middle of nowhere, and have to take busses regularly. I've never seen anything like that.

Also, why did the driver get off the bus to confront the young lad? If he was punching the bus while the driver was pulling off, just go?

eightieschewbaccy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123271971#Comment_123271971

Yep, this honestly sounds suspiciously made up. They would have been caught on camera by the bus so it would just be a matter of passing that onto the authorities.

Working class heroes

The OP is talking about load of bollox, imo…….

elperello

I have used the TFI buses in six different counties and have never seen any incidents on them at all.

joseywhales

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123271695#Comment_123271695

Yeah that's why I say at the judgement of the contractor with no redress, there is no court case the bus driver has sole authority to decide who they want to transport. If we get to a point where we have created a little tyrant, you sack the contractor.

Wanderer78

….or maybe we need to implement functioning mental health services in the country, to reduce the likelihood of such incidents and dysfunctional behaviors induced from the lack of such services!

…aggression is an extremely common behavioral problem of drug addicts and many drug dealers, due to prolonged lack of effective health care supports!

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123271689#Comment_123271689

If you have an illness that prevents you holding a driving license or other illnesses you are also entitled to a FTP. The catch all means of approaching this is that anyone awarded Disability Allowance or Invalidity Pension is defacto awarded a FTP.

Also I note the OP mentions cancer patients spending enormous sums on transport. If the OP is aware of anyone in such straits? I can only recommend they contact the Irish Cancer Society who will arrange transport to & from any appointments for such patients. It is an incredible service that many aren't aware of when diagnosed.

As for the reports of open drug dealing and other such behaviour? No doubt the coach is fitted with CCTV, the driver can report issues without confronting the people involved.

Seeking to undertake a wholesale review based on the edge cases reported by a single driver on a single route? Could well cost a huge proportion of the €95million actual cost of the scheme. Currently 1.6million people hold an FTP, factor a minimum of a couple of hours labour on the part of the department in reviewing each case at @ €18ph labour cost. Then complicate that cost by calculating the cost and delay in other work not being progressed whilst the edge cases are chased down. People applying for any of the payments, schemes or other programmes managed within the department overseeing FTP now enter a huge backlog.

It rapidly becomes an exercise in futility. What I would suggest? Is that anyone commiting anti-social behaviour whilst availing of FTP, has there FTP suspended and that such suspension power lay with drivers, inspectors and Gardaí. The person can seek to apply for reactivation via an appeal scheme.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123271785#Comment_123271785

Because working taxpayers strictly work M-F 9-5 only?

tayto lover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123271694#Comment_123271694

Junkies/Drug addicts get free travel passes as they might have to travel to clinics. I think it's madness.

Packrat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123272566#Comment_123272566

In extremely rural areas with a traditional jobs base, - mostly yes. Is this news to you Andy?

Pauliedragon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123271694#Comment_123271694

It's not just pensioners. I have a travel pass (I'm 45) because I can't have a drivers licence.

REDBULL68

I work on the frontline of travel ,op is correct, there now nearly 3 quarter of a million on free travel out of just over 5 million ,most are not oaps ,half these will have companion passes, which makes it well over a million, and yes they are open to all people with addiction, I knew a fellow that was an alco and he couldn't believe they gave him a pass ,he came in everyday to the pub, now he's gone the scheme is a disaster and has to be looked at hard ,it's costing us millions.

mrslancaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123273727#Comment_123273727

would in-patient treatment for people with addiction problems be a cheaper option? Assuming there would be enough hospital beds and/or clinics around the country.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123274262#Comment_123274262

So there's no one working as a farm labourer perhaps, or as a health care assistant perhaps, or as a bartender or waiting staff perhaps in extremely rural areas with a traditional jobs base?

InAtFullBack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123274273#Comment_123274273

Agreed. Starting out there needs to be a mechanism whereby a FTP can be suspended or withdrawn. If a driver can have their licence suspended for acting the maggot on the roads, surely those acting the maggot on public transport should suffer the same fate.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123274711#Comment_123274711

I'd be confident that few if any farm labourers catch a bus to work!

Conall Cernach

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123275661#Comment_123275661

Lads working as labourers catching chickens etc certainly do. I've met a few foreign lads that get the bus to do just that.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123275661#Comment_123275661

Yes, you're right, our car-dependency culture is an awful thing.

elperello

In rural areas almost all labourers, tradesmen and service providers need a vehicle.

tayto lover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123274291#Comment_123274291

I don't know but impatient treatment would cost and many of the people with addictions would probably refuse that course of action anyway. It wouldn't be too bad if they behaved on the buses but I have seen them act up myself and its not nice.