TD says move an important help for workers and a necessary safety measure for drivers and others
Bríd Smith TD has called on Shane Ross and the NTA to operate all public transport for free during the Covid 19 crisis.
The People Before Profit TD said the move would help frontline workers at this time and would be especially beneficially to many medical students currently working in the health service and receiving no payments.
She said: “There are many categories of students such as pharmacists and radiographers who are now effectively drafted into the front line of this fight but still receive no wages for their work. They can’t find work to help them through their final year of study and I really believe this is a simple measure that we need to take immediately to help all front line workers in retail, manufacturing etc, as well as health. Many are low paid and transport can be a big part of their living expenses.”
The TD also pointed out that fare free transport would also help reduce contact between drivers and passengers allowing safer use of public transport for all workers.
“The less interaction and exchanges between drivers and passengers the better in stopping any possible transmission of this virus, I appeal to the government and the NTA to introduce fare free transport as a immediate measure”.
