asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the confusion that exists in regard to the new bus fares in the Dublin area, he will make representations to C.I.E. to publish in the daily newspapers the scheduled fares for each route.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bus Fares.
C.I.E. are required under the provisions of the Road Transport Act, 1932, to display conspicuously in each omnibus a schedule of the actual fares which are being charged on the service.
The publication in the daily newspapers of scheduled fares for each route would be a question for consideration by the Board of C.I.E., to whom any representations in the matter should be addressed direct.
Arising out of the reply, is the Minister aware that quite a large number of passengers are paying more than the regular fare due to their ignorance of the scheduled stages and to the fact that even the conductors are in some cases not conversant with the exact stages? I would ask the Minister to make a request to C.I.E. to publish the new fares in the daily Press. I think it would be more fitting for C.I.E. to do that than to advertise the fact that the increased scales are due to the demands of the workers.
The Deputy is making a speech.
As I have said, C.I.E. are required under the provisions of the Road Transport Act, 1932, to display conspicuously in each omnibus a schedule of the actual fares which are being charged and I understand, and I have been so informed by C.I.E., that a schedule is in fact exhibited in buses. I cannot therefore understand how a conductor could be in any doubt as to the proper fare or why the passengers who can consult the schedule are ignorant of the proper fares.
Is the Minister aware that the schedule is displayed in the most inconspicuous place in the bus— immediately inside the door of the lower deck.
And in many buses it is not displayed at all.
I have been informed by C.I.E. that they are displayed in all buses. If there should be any doubt about the matter I shall bring the comments of both Deputies to the special attention of C.I.E.