Gay Mitchell
Question:233 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the level of increase in the real cost of using public transport since 1960; and the way this compares to the real costs of motoring to the individual traveller,
Gay Mitchell
Question:232 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the extent of public expenditure on roads, car parks, and tax subsidies on company cars from 1960 to date; and the way this compares with expenditure on public transport for the same period.
Written Answers. - Rail/Bus and Bicycle Usage.
Gay Mitchell
Question:234 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the percentage by which the use of (a) rail and (b) buses has increased or decreased since 1960 in terms of passenger kilometre; and if he will provide similar figures for bicycle usage.
with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 232, 233 and 234 together.
The Deputy will appreciate that public expenditure on roads and car parks does not fall within my direct area of responsibility. I understand, however, that details of public expenditure on roads (including car parks) from 1960 to 1986 are published in the annual Central Statistics Office publication "Ireland: Statistical Extract". Expenditure in 1987 and 1988 totalled £283 million and £265 million (provisional outturn) respectively. Final returns for 1989 are not available. The question of the taxation of company cars is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
Cumulative State support for essential public transport services between 1960 and 1989 amounted to £1,284,948,000. In the same period, the real increase in CIE fares has been of the order of 2.6 per cent. Information is not readily available on trends in the real costs of motoring to the individual.
I am informed by CIE that between 1960 and 1989 rail and road public transport use as measured by passenger kilometres increased by 115 per cent and 46 per cent respectively. I am advised that official statistics are not compiled in respect of bicycle use.