CIE seeks rise in fares of up to 14%

PUBLIC transport users could be facing further fare increases less than a year after the last price rise for bus and rail passengers.

However, Transport Minister Seamus Brennan has ruled out any increase as high as 14%, which CIÉ is seeking for DART rail services in Dublin.

The company is also believed to be seeking a rise of 8% for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann tickets and 6% for inter city rail services.

This comes six months after passengers on State- operated bus and rail services had to pay an extra 9% in charges, although CIÉ had asked for 20%.

Last night, a spokesperson for Mr Brennan said the minister would not approve any fare increase at the level being sought.

He has a particular preference to allow CIE small annual increases linked to inflation, but 14% is out of the question,” he said.

Mr Brennan is expected to bring proposals on these reforms to Government this month. His report will recommend the break-up of the CIÉ group - Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann - into independent companies and privatising a number of bus routes in the capital.

However, the moves are facing worker opposition with unions planning a fare- free day on July 18, expected to cost the group up to €1.5m. Fine Gael transport spokesperson Denis Naughten said it was unusual to seek further increases when fuel costs were falling.

“CIÉ will have to justify any fare increase given, especially when fuel costs are lower than they were at the start of the year ,” he said.

Labour Party transport spokesperson Róisín Shortall said Mr Brennan must reject the level of increases being sought if the Government is serious about promoting wider use of public transport.