Labour's Finance spokesperson Ged Nash has today urged the Government to immediately introduce a 10% reduction in public transport fares and expand access to working from home.
Ged Nash said that while the temporary cuts to excise duty are welcome in a crisis, they do not go far enough to permanently reduce costs for workers.
Workers and families will continue to face mounting pressure without long-lasting action on transport costs and remote working, he warned.
He has proposed additional cost of living measures alongside Government plans to cut excise duty on fuel, adding that a broader response is required to deliver long-term savings for workers.
"Labour supports the temporary reduction in excise duty on diesel and petrol as a necessary step to ease the immediate pressure on hard pressed motorists in the face of rising global instability and energy costs," Ged Nash said.
"However, this cannot be the extent of the Government's response. We need to cut the cost of the commute permanently and where possible, we should cut out the commute," he stressed.
He said the Government's response needs to be a mix of financial measures for commuters, targeted supports for workers and small businesses, and clear policy interventions that reduce costs for the long-term.
"We are calling for a 10% cut in public transport fares to provide real and immediate relief to those who rely on buses, trains and Luas services every day and the suspension of future toll hikes, as was done in 2022," he said.
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"Public transport must be a viable and affordable alternative to driving, particularly at a time when fuel prices are volatile and household budgets are under severe strain," he added.
But he said that while cutting the cost of the commute is welcome, ending the commute is better.
"We need a real focus on enabling people to work from home where possible. Remote working has proven benefits for workers, for families and for the wider economy. It reduces commuting costs and eases pressure on transport networks," he stated.
"Yet too many workers are now being required to return to the office without justification, increasing their daily costs and adding to congestion," he added.
He said that Government must lead by example and there should be a renewed and clear mandate across the civil and public service to support working from home wherever roles allow.
"By doing so, Government can set the standard for the private sector and ensure that workers are not penalised by being forced into costly daily commutes. Instead of outright opposition to Labour’s remote work legislation, we need government to work with us on it," he said.
