Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt about the need to make public transport more attractive by creating better, more accountable and, importantly, more affordable transport systems. Extensive fare hikes have taken place across bus, rail and Luas services. If one looks at it cumulatively over the last four years, one cannot but conclude that providers have been predatory and made a significant dent in people's pockets while at the same time reducing the attractiveness of public transport. Adult cash fares on Dublin Bus services have increased by 36% since 2012. The increase at Bus Éireann averaged approximately 18% while Luas fare increases totalled approximately 11%. Increases on most monthly and annual rail tickets were on average approximately 22% on short hop commuter trips. All of that has amounted in my view to a targeted attack on commuters using the public transport system.

Despite the huge fare hikes over recent years, the NTA has approved fare increases of up to 5% across Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Luas and Irish Rail from the beginning of next year. Like others, I welcome the increased economic activity. However, the growth that is taking place is in no way keeping pace with the increases with the cost of public transport. While I accept the difference between the statutory roles of the Minister and the NTA in this regard, there is a need to call a halt here. If fares continue to increase, that will have an impact on people's use of public transport services, which in turn will only add to further gridlock.

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