Mr. Gerry Murphy:

There are a number of factors in the costs of running transport services. For the operators, the subsidy is one of its income sources, the other major income source is passenger fare revenue. There has been a significant drop in passenger numbers on all public transport since the peak in 2008. There has been unusual increased costs, the loss of the fuel duty rebate was a major factor in the increase of that cost base. Taking all the factors in the round, the operational deficit after taking account of income and costs, we determine the appropriate fares increase. There have been fares increases each year.