NCBI welcomes removal of restrictions from free travel pass
Release Date: Aug 10th, 2006
The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) has welcomed the announcement that peak-time restrictions on the free travel pass are to be lifted from next month.
NCBI has been calling for the removal of these restrictions for over a decade, arguing in numerous pre-budget submissions that the ban discriminated against people who must use public transport for all of their travel needs.
Des Kenny, Chief Executive of NCBI stated, “This is a welcome move. The removal of these restrictions will mean that Ireland finally has a ‘free’ travel pass. The scheme has grown enormously since it was first introduced and today, more than 600,000 people now benefit from the free travel pass.”
However, free travel concessions do not solve the transport needs in areas where limited or no public transport service exists. As well as calling for a wider and more accessible public transport network nationally, NCBI has written to the Government requesting that tax concessions on cars which are available to physically disabled passengers be extended to people who are blind or vision impaired.
Mr Kenny added, “In many parts of the country people have no other option but to travel by car. But the costs of car ownership are often beyond the means of people who are blind or vision impaired. We have asked the Government to review the scheme and redress the current disparity between people with physical and sensory disabilities.”
Holders of free travel passes will be entitled to use the concession on public transport during morning and evening peak times from 25th September 2006.
For more information contact Fionnuala Murphy on 01 8821975.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) is a not for profit charitable organisation which offers support and services nationwide to those experiencing difficulties with their eyesight.
2. 2006 is NCBI's 75th anniversary year, having been established in 1931 to promote the physical, economic and social independence of people living with vision impairments.
3. NCBI provides a range of services to 10,000 people experiencing difficulty with their eyesight in Ireland.
4. The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Tax Refund Scheme exempts people with certain physical disabilities payment of VAT and VRT on cars. The Scheme only applies to people with physical disabilities and excludes people who are blind or vision impaired.