Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have outlined to the Deputy what my role is in how these decisions are made and how the fare structure is set. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I expect that as our economy recovers, more public investment in public transport is made and the balance sheets of public transport companies begin to improve in line with increases in their passenger numbers, the frequency and magnitude of the price increases we have experienced in the past will begin to change. The Deputy has referred to the most recent fare determination figures. I would like to contrast those figures with where we came from in the depth of our difficulties in 2013. In 2013, Dublin Bus had a price increase of 5.7%, whereas its most recent price increase was 1.2%. In 2013, Bus Éireann had a price increase of 6.1%, whereas its most recent price increase was 1.1%. In 2013, Irish Rail had a price increase of 7%, whereas its most recent price increase was 1%. This shows that the magnitude of price increases is beginning to decline significantly. In all cases, the Leap card will be cheaper than cash. In many cases, a single Leap card fare will be exactly the same in 2016 as the cash fare was in 2013. This is all about driving more integration and better utilisation of public transport.

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