Cost of public transport set to rise again

CIE has applied to the government for a 10% increase in Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus and Irish Rail fares.

The public transport organisation said its costs are rising particularly because of high oil prices.

Bus and rail fares went up by over 3% at the beginning of they year, although this was less than half the increase sought by CIE.

All increases in CIE fares must be sanctioned by the Minister for Transport.

Martin Cullen has said he plans to set up a Public Transport Regulator in the future to make these decisions.

But a decision on the CIE fares is expected from his department in the next few weeks.