Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004
245 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Transport how much moneys Dublin Bus accrued for the past five years from the public who pay more than is required for bus journeys and change is not given on buses and is then not claimed; the good use it is proposed for the moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7213/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of uncollected change accruing to Dublin Bus is an operational matter for the company. An exact fare and no change system was introduced in response to a situation where a number of drivers were assaulted for cash. Under the company's arrangements, Dublin Bus offers customers a change receipt in lieu of change. It can be cashed at a later date and it has no expiry date. In other cities with an exact fare system no refund facility is offered.
Over the past five years the value of unreclaimed change tickets averaged €1.9 million per annum and is equivalent to less than 1% of turnover. All of the unclaimed amounts are reinvested by Dublin Bus for the purposes of: discounting prepaid fares by in excess of €6 million per annum; minimising price increases for the cash customer; and maintaining and developing service levels across the network.
