asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in connection with the revision of bus fares, he will give special consideration to the large built-up areas in Dublin, such as Crumlin, Drimnagh and Cabra, where the majority of the bus passengers are workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bus Fares.
In considering proposals for increased fares, special consideration was given to the built-up areas where large numbers of workers reside. These areas are situated at distances of from two and a half to four miles from the centre of the city. The present fare is 2d. and the new fare will be 3d. This compares with a 4d. fare for equivalent distances in other parts of the city. In most cases the fares to the built-up areas will be the same as they were in the period from 1938 to July, 1946.
The need for special treatment in dealing with the fares for the areas mentioned by the Deputy was an important factor in the decision to increase the minimum fare on all city routes.
Would the Minister think of advising Córas Iompair Éireann to consider the possibility of giving special workers' tickets or, alternatively, of retaining the minimum 1d. fare inside the areas concerned? I would point out that it is the housewives and the shoppers who will be mainly hit rather than those who are travelling into town.
The question of the issue of special workers' tickets was considered, but it is not practicable to put the proposal into operation. The answer to the second part of the Deputy's supplementary question is that it is only possible to give the fares to the working class areas in the outlying districts at 3d. by increasing the minimum fare to 2d. If you do not increase the minimum fare from 1d. to 2d., then you must increase the 2d. fare to 4d.
Why is the Minister departing from what Sir James Milne advised?
Because I do not want to fix a 4d. or a 5d. fare to the working class areas.
Sir James Milne can be wrong then?
I think I have never claimed, and I am sure that Sir James Milne himself would not claim, that he is infallible. That is for the Deputies opposite.
But who persuaded the Minister that he was wrong in this instance?
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if an inquiry will be held before sanction is given to increase the 1d. bus fare in Dublin; and, if so, whether Dublin Corporation will be heard through senior counsel or its own elected representatives.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that there is widespread objection in Dublin City to the proposed abolition of 1d. fares by Córas Iompair Éireann; and, if so, whether he will arrange to meet the Deputies for Dublin City to discuss the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together.
The decision to allow Córas Iompair Éireann to abolish the 1d. fares in Dublin was taken only after mature consideration by the Government. I have to remind Deputies that Córas Iompair Éireann incurred losses of £912,000 in 1947 and over £1,400,000 in 1948 and it was essential that additional revenue should be obtained to keep the undertaking going. Various alternative proposals for finding the additional revenue required by the company to meet the increases in wages, materials and other costs were considered. It appeared to the Government that these alternatives would have created greater hardships on the city workers than the abolition of the 1d. fares. They would have involved an increase to 4d. in the fares to the housing areas and very steep increases in the fares to the built-up areas on the outskirts of the city. It is not proposed to hold an inquiry into the matter.
Mr. Byrne
I suggest that the Minister should restore, even if only for half a mile, the 1d. fare. That would facilitate the women who live in the built-up areas and who have to travel distances to their shopping centres. I would point out that these women have to travel to the shopping centres at least once and often twice a day for messages. This new proposal is going to be very costly so far as the working-class people in Dublin are concerned and I would implore the Minister to give at least the half-mile 1d. fare so as to help the very type of person of whom he has been talking.
I would point out, as I have already said, that it has only been possible to give the preferential fares which it is proposed to give to the working-class areas by increasing the minimum fare to 2d. That minimum fare of 2d. can only be departed from by increasing the fares to the working-class areas.
Has the Minister considered the suggestion in my question, No. 41? I asked him if he would meet Deputies from Dublin City to discuss the matter.
Certainly, I am quite prepared to meet Deputies from Dublin City or County.
As soon as possible?
Certainly.
Is it not a fact that, while Córas Iompair Éireann may have lost a substantial amount of money in recent years, the Dublin services have always paid their way?
Mr. Byrne
I wish to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment this evening.
Deputy Boland has already given notice that he wishes to raise a question on the Adjournment. The Deputies will have to decide the matter among themselves.
Mr. Byrne
Or to-morrow night, if possible.
The matter cannot be left over to another evening, Deputy.