Public Transport.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2010

Wednesday, 10 February 2010

Ceisteanna (67)

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

134 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Transport his views on public transport fare structures and whether lower fares would encourage more commuters to use public transport rather than private vehicles; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there has been an increase in certain Luas fares due to the Docklands extension through the introduction of a new five zone fare on the Red Line; his further views on the fact that commuters should bear the primary cost of infrastructural upgrades and extensions through price increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6410/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Decisions in relation to public transport fares are, for the most part, a matter for the operators of public transport services subject to the approval of the National Transport Authority in the case of the standard adult fare on subvented CIÉ services and of the Minister for Transport in the case of LUAS fares. It is clear that excessive increases in fares would damage the attractiveness of public transport while a lowering of fares could require additional Exchequer funding in the case of subvented services.

In relation to the introduction of a new five zone fare on the LUAS red line, I understand that fares have been adjusted to take account of the Luas extension to the Docklands whereby passengers making longer journeys pay higher fares but for the vast majority of passengers there has been no change in the fares paid. There is an incremental operating cost associated with extending the Luas network to service new areas and this cost has to be funded by fares. The capital costs of the LUAS Red line extension was funded by Exchequer grant.