Commuters brace for hike in bus and rail fares

BUS and rail fares are set to increase sharply in the new year following confirmation that the annual subvention to the CIÉ group is to fall by 8%.

The Government has also warned that further cutbacks were likely to result in “significant” reductions to public transport services in 2013 and 2014.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar announced yesterday that exchequer funding for Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus would be cut by €21m next year to €242m.