Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 656: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times Luas, Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann have applied for permission to increase their fares for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the reason for each fare request; if each request was either approved or refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15771/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Prior to 3 December, 2009, Ministerial approval was sought for increases in standard single fares by CIE and by the Railway Procurement Agency(RPA) in the case of Luas fares.

In October 2007, the CIE companies applied for a fares increase of 8-10% to cover increased operating costs and the provision of additional services. The RPA sought an increase of 4.15% in Luas fares to cover additional costs and to offset the cost of their asset renewals programme. Ministerial approval was granted for an average 5% increase in CIE fares and 4.15% increase in Luas fares with effect from 1 January, 2008.

In September, 2008 CIE submitted an application for a 20% fare increase due to a decline in the Group's finances as a result of increasing fuel, labour and other costs, the loss of fuel duty rebate and changing demand for services. The RPA also applied for an average 6.1% increase in fares in the light of declining passenger numbers and to provide for longer term assets replacement costs. In December, 2008 an average 10% fare increase was approved for CIE and an average 6% increase was approved in respect of Luas fares, with immediate effect.

There were no fare increases sought or granted in 2009.

Since December, 2009, decisions in relation to increases in public transport fares on subvented services are subject to the approval of the National Transport Authority(NTA) and I have no role in the matter. I have requested the NTA to furnish details of fare increases since December 2009 directly to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.