Mr. Michael Taft:

On behalf of Unite, Mr. Willie Quigley, our regional officer, and I wish to thank the committee for this invitation. We will focus on two issues: the subvention to Dublin Bus and the underfunding of CIE to cover the costs of the free travel scheme. This lays the basis on which we can support a new vision of public transport.

By European comparison, Ireland devotes relatively low levels of subvention support to public transport. As the committee can imagine, this results in poorer services and higher fares, which drive up traffic congestion, and creates an unnecessary burden on households, businesses, the environment and quality of life for people in this city. Members will be aware of the reductions in the Dublin Bus subvention since 2008, a cut of €28 million or 32.6%. This contrasts with a general cut in Government expenditure of a little less than 10%. Public transport has taken a disproportionate hit since 2008.

We compare poorly with subvention levels in other EU cities. The data lag, unfortunately, as there is no comprehensive database that covers all of these subventions because they are done at national, regional and local levels. However, a number of studies show that we fall considerably behind. Whereas it is usual for a city transport service to have a subvention of approximately 50% of total revenue, our level is approximately 20%. I will put this into perspective so that we do not get lost in percentages. If the subvention of Dublin Bus were at the average level of comparable European cities, it would be receiving €175 million more per year. Some might call this a cost, but we would call it an opportunity.

Regarding the free travel subsidy, it has been contended that CIE and Dublin Bus have not fully recouped the costs of operating the free travel scheme from the Department of Social Protection. There is evidence to support this contention. My submission includes a lengthy quote from the Secretary General of the Department of Social Protection, Ms Niamh O'Donoghue, from when she appeared before the Committee of Public Accounts. I will not read it all, only two or three particular points. She stated: "the funding provided for the [free travel] scheme was originally based on ridership surveys ... in October 1973". That was 30 or 40 years ago. I cannot do the math off the top of my head.