Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Transport the action he is taking to encourage the greater take-up of annual commuter tickets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16237/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Each of the CIÉ companies has seen a substantial increase in the sale of annual and monthly commuter tickets in recent years. Much of the growth can be attributed to the tax savings accruing to those who commit to purchasing annual tickets under the Tax Saver scheme which comes under the remit of my colleague, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., Minister for Finance. For example, Dublin Bus has 1,700 companies actively purchasing monthly and annual tickets directly from Dublin Bus for their employees.

Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus are currently undertaking a joint marketing drive involving advertising and direct mailing promotional material to a large number of companies in the Greater Dublin commuter area. In addition, a comprehensive media campaign is currently underway with advertising taking place in daily and Sunday newspapers, bus shelters, externally on buses, DART billboards and on platforms in all rail stations. The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) will shortly be running a campaign to promote sales of these tickets for the LUAS also.

Information and application forms are also available on the companies websites regarding these tickets.