Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Transport if he supports the increase in LUAS peak time fares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6585/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I approved an average increase in fare revenue of 2.75%. Subject to this, it was a matter for the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) to determine the details of the new Luas fares structure which it announced on 4th January last.

I understand from the RPA that the reason for the introduction of the modest differential prices between peak and off-peak single tickets was to encourage passengers to transfer to the better value and more convenient options of SmartCards and Travelcards. The Agency expects that this will contribute to reducing queues at Luas ticket machines in the morning and evening peaks which, due to the high frequency of Luas, can lead to people missing trams. Passengers who use a SmartCard or a Travelcard need to visit ticket machines less frequently which contributes to shorter queues.

The RPA believes that this peak/off-peak pricing should have no effect on the vast majority of passengers who travel in the peak period as the RPA offers a suite of ticket options and the single ticket is only suited to the very occasional traveller.

Luas SmartCard fares and child fares were not increased for the second year running. SmartCard users can avail of average savings of up to 15% compared to single ticket purchases.