Varadkar: Fares to rise on public transport

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar is warning that there will be a substantial increase in public transport fares next year.

The subsidies paid to the CIE group, which includes Irish Rail, Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus, will be cut by 8% or €21m in 2012.

However, Mr Varadkar said commuters who use the new Leap card will be cushioned from the vast majority of increases which will be focused on cash fares.