Record numbers use public transport

A record number of passengers travelled on Ireland’s public transport system last year, according the latest CIE annual report.

The report shows increases in passenger numbers in Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus.

However, it added that the cost of providing transport rose during 2001, prompting the Government to increase its subvention by almost 25%.

According to reports this morning, CIE has asked Transport Minister Seamus Brennan to sanction fare increases of up to 20%.