Transport costs - Unwelcome increases

AS the VHI imposes 45% premium increases on some of its customers today another semi-state company is to demand more from it customers too. Commuters who use buses or trains face fare increases of up to 10%. This is another unwelcome imposition.

Though soaring fuel prices play a part it is another blow for people who see incomes falling and living costs rising in an impossible pattern.

Last November the Government confirmed it would cut State’s subvention to the CIÉ group by almost 4.5% in 2011. Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Iarnród Éireann will get €266m this year, a reduction of €12.5m.

These companies cannot be evaluated entirely on commercial grounds as they provide vital social services but it is disappointing that operational savings could not be found to make this imposition unnecessary or at the very least less severe.