asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the level of financial subsidy from the Exchequer for the Dublin city bus service; the proportion of revenue for the Dublin city bus service which is provided from (a) fares and (b) Government subsidy; the way in which this level of subsidy compares generally with subsidies provided for public transport systems in other major European cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dublin City Bus Service.
19.
Annual subvention for Bus Atha Cliath is allocated by the board of Coras Iompair Éireann out of the total Exchequer allocation to that body in accordance with EC Regulation 1107/70, which specifies that State aid may be paid in respect of losses on road passenger services which cannot be recouped by fare increases or eliminated by economies in operations. The audited accounts of CIE for 1986 are the most recent available and show that in that year the subvention allocation for Dublin city bus services was £14.7 million.
The accounts show that revenue from passengers amounted to £74.1 million, or 83.4 per cent of the total revenue. The Exchequer subvention represented 16.6 per cent. The total revenue of £88.8 million matched the total expenditure, including financial charges, for 1986.
Figures available for international comparisons have to be treated with caution, because the definitions of "revenues" and "costs" differ considerably from one country to the next. In addition, in the case of the most recent comparison available the figures compared do not in many cases relate to the same year. Subject to these qualifications, bus transport in Dublin emerged as requiring a relatively low level of subsidy on comparison with other major European cities.
Question No. 20 withdrawn.