Agóid ar son pas bus do phinsinéirí

Bhailigh slua daoine taobh amuigh den Roinn Bonneagair i mBéal Feirste an tseachtain seo caite chun agóid a dhéanamh i gcoinne rún an rialtais deireadh a chur leis an scéim iompair phoiblí saor in aisce do dhaoine os cionn 60 bliain d’aois.

Tugadh an scéim seo isteach i ndiaidh na dianghlasála domhanda lena chinntiú nach raibh na daoine is leochailí sa tsochaí scoite amach agus go dtiocfadh leat taisteal thart an Tuaisceart go furasta.

Ó bhí an phaindéim ann tháinig ardú ar líon na seandaoine a bhfuil drochshláinte fhisiciúil agus drochshláinte mheabhrach orthu agus is iad an féinleithlisiú agus an t-uaigneas is cúis le cuid mhór den mhéadú sin. Má chailltear an scéim iompair phoiblí saor in aisce, ní bheidh aon mhodh taistil eile ag go leor de na pinsinéirí ar fud an Tuaiscirt, go háirithe agus praghas na dticéad lae ag ardú.

Ní hamháin go mbeidh tionchar diúltach aige seo ar dhaoine scothaosta, ach beidh tionchar aige ar an timpeallacht fosta. Tá Tuaisceart na hÉireann ar cheann de na háiteanna is measa in Éirinn agus sa Ríocht Aontaithe maidir le truailliú aeir agus tá Béal Feirste ar na cathracha is mó ina mbítear ag brath ar charranna. Is é an bealach is fearr le dul i ngleic leis seo ná níos mó daoine a spreagadh le húsáid a bhaint as iompar poiblí ach, dar le Gerry Carroll ó People Before Profit, “tá an Roinn Bonneagair ag cur bacainní i bhfeidhm”.

D’fhreastail Meon Eile ar an agóid agus labhair muid le Gerry Carroll faoin cheist. Labhair muid fosta le Pádraig de Cléir agus Anthony Bradley, beirt atá buartha faoin tionchar a bheidh ag na ciorruithe seo.

Tá foirm ar shuíomh gréasáin Na Roinne Bonneagair is féidir leat a shíniú anseo chun agóid a dhéanamh i gcoinne na gciorruithe ar an scéim iompair phoiblí. Is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh le Gerry Carroll agus People Before Profit ar 02890 231628 agus seolfaidh siad teimpléad chugat chun an próiseas casta a éascú duit.

Chuaigh Meon Eile i dteagmháil leis an Roinn Bonneagair agus seo thíos an freagra a chuir siad ar fáil dúinn:

 “A consultation on changes to the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme is under way.
The Scheme aims to promote accessible public transport for those most at risk of social exclusion and currently allows older people (60+) and some disabled people to travel for free or at a discounted rate using a SmartPass.
Following a review of the Scheme, which has not changed since 2008, the consultation is seeking views on a range of proposals designed to ensure the Scheme is financially sustainable so that it can continue to be provided for years to come and that it is targeted at members of the community most at risk of social isolation.
Changes being considered include raising the age of eligibility from 60 to either 65 or state pension age to bring Northern Ireland into line with England and the Republic of Ireland. It does not propose ending free transport for everyone over the age of 60. Other potential changes include extending the half fare concession for people with a disability to free travel and introducing companion travel for those unable to travel alone.
No decisions have been made yet on these proposals. The Department is engaging with key stakeholders and holding a number of focus groups with those most likely to be impacted by the changes to hear views on the options presented.
The Department would encourage everyone to have their say on the full range of proposals being considered. The consultation can be accessed from the Department’s website at the following link: Consultation on changes to the Concessionary Fares Scheme | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)”
For more information: Consultation on Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme launched | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)”