Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 January 2012
15 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent of service reductions in public transport services provided by CIÉ for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1547/12]
View answerThe public transport services provided by the CIÉ operating companies in 2012 are a matter for the companies concerned in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. I have referred the Deputy's question to the National Transport Authority for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Notwithstanding the NTA's statutory responsibilities, Government recognises that there is a need for the CIE companies to respond to the challenge of reduced PSO subvention funding, reduced fares income arising from reductions in passenger numbers and increased costs, such as fuel costs, which are outside their control. As a general principle it is my belief that efficiencies in operational costs should, in the first instance, be examined over fare increases and service reductions. However, in the current environment there has to be a recognition that unfortunately fare increases will be inevitable if costs cannot be reduced sufficiently in order to maintain a reasonable level of service provision.
While a recovery in passenger numbers could increase company revenues, all concerned in my Department and the NTA must focus on identifying key public transport priorities in our cities and across the country. In turn, the PSO public transport service providers will have to achieve greater efficiency and cost effectiveness in the years ahead based on a realistic assessment of the scope and level of contracted services.
