Call made to bring 90 minute bus ticketing to Limerick City network

A REQUEST is to be made to transport bosses to change the way buses in Limerick City are ticketed.

Independent councillor Elena Secas wants to see the TFI 90 fare system, used in Dublin, expanded to Limerick.

This will allow bus users to be covered by one single fare, no matter how many city buses they take within 90 minutes.

Cllr Secas said making bus travel more affordable will get people out of their cars and reduce congestion on the road.

At present, passengers using a Leap card must pay €1.35 for each journey - meaning a journey from Caherdavin to Castletroy would cost €2.70, as two buses will need to be boarded.

READ MORE: Limerick man convicted for brawl in sit-down city coffee shop

Alternatively, bus users can purchase a 24-hour ticket for €3.60.

Councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara seconded Cllr Secas's motion at this month's metropolitan meeting.

It was also supported by councillors Ursula Gavan and Maria Donoghue.

Fine Gael’s Peter Doyle said it’s “unbelievable” contactless bank cards cannot be used on local buses.

Only TFI Leap cards or cash can be used to buy tickets.

Elsewhere, council will also write to Transport for Ireland to request they formally add a stop to the 304A bus route.

Labour councillor Padraigh Reale saw a motion passed calling for the addition of a stop located at the junction of Pennywell Road/Clare Street/Dublin Road.

“While it is acknowledged that most drivers recognise this stop and do allow people to alight here some drivers have continued on to the stop at St John's Hospital causing inconvenience to some users and general confusion. It poses the question is this actually a stop or not?” said Cllr Reale, who also asked for road markings to reflect the stop.

The 304A runs between Monaleen and Mungret Park, crossing the city centre at Johnsgate.