Labour criticises CIE request for price rises

The Labour Party’s consumer affairs spokesperson has criticised CIE’s reported request for fare increases of up to 20%.

According to reports this morning, the company is seeking a 20% increase in Dublin Bus charges, a 14% increase in Bus Eireann fares and a 10% increase in rail fares.

Labour’s Mary Upton said this plan could be counterproductive.

"At a time when traffic problems are still quite chaotic, the priority should be to encourage greater use of public transport and not to be putting in a disincentive," she said.

"What we have to do is to make it easier for people to do that, not to encourage them to put more cars back on the streets."