[Colm Moore]

http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp...g=ENG&loc=1887

Cullen announcement on CIE / LUAS Fares
19 December 2006

Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen TD today (19 December 2006) announced that he has not accepted either the CIE request for increases in fares of up to 10% or the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) request for 3.45%.

Following detailed examination of the application from the CIE companies (Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann) and the RPA (LUAS), the Government decided that an increase of 2.75% in fares revenue for the CIÉ companies and Luas in 2007 was more appropriate. The Minister made the announcement following today's Cabinet meeting.

In reaching the decision, the Minister said he was conscious of the requirement to achieve a balance of the impact on the customers of CIÉ and RPA with the need to sustain the financial health of the companies. In reaching his decision, the Minister said he wanted to encourage and support passengers who are choosing public transport as their commuting option.

It is understood that Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and RPA will now finalise the details of the new fares structures.