Proposals to increase bus and rail fares in line with inflation are to be presented to the Government by the Minister for Transport Mr Seamus Brennan.
Mr Brennan is expected to bring the proposals before Cabinet over the next couple of weeks and if agreed upon, rail and bus passengers could see fare increases early in the New Year.
The increases would be in line with inflation, which reached a low of 2.3 per cent in October having been as high as 5.1 per cent in February.
Last year, Mr Brennan granted Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann a 9 per cent raise in fares - the first increase in eight years. The companies had sought another 9 per cent increase during the summer but this was rejected by the Minister.
It is understood that in future increases will be made yearly in line with inflation.
Fine Gael criticised the move. "Minister Brennan's decision to approve a 4 per cent increase in fares, which is 1.7 per cent above the rate of inflation, at a time when insurance costs, according to the
Government, are being reduced by 20 per cent, raises questions about the Minister's ability to ensure value for money for passengers, said transport spokesman, Mr Denis Naughten
"Improvements in public transport services cost money, but these improvements must be clearly defined and transparent prior to the approval of any increase in
fares," he added.