A chara, – Once again the ordinary people are getting hit in the pocket with the news that fares on public transport are to be increased yet again ("Public transport fares to increase", October 29th). This truly is an outrage.
Only last week Enda Kenny was in Brussels seeking an improved deal on greenhouse gas emissions in an offsetting arrangement for our agricultural sector. The latest fares price rise will only serve to push people back into their cars. Traffic on our roads has already increased to pre-recession levels with our road infrastructure now requiring upgrading to deal with same. The National Transport Authority and the Coalition have not taken a cohesive approach here on any level.
The public transport companies have argued that they need the fare increases to supply the services. The travelling public is an easy target.
If the Government cannot increase subvention to the public transport companies then the time has come to introduce competition into the public transport sector. If Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus cannot provide much-needed services at an affordable price for the consumer, then open up the sector to operators who can. Enough is enough! – Is mise,
KILLIAN BRENNAN,
Malahide Road,
Dublin 17.
Sir, – I nearly fell off my chair last night when I read that the minimum bus fare is now €1.95, a 39 per cent increase since 2012. To get a bus to bring you a couple of stops is nearly the price of a taxi fare. The bus and rail officials state that the numbers travelling have increased. Who are they fooling? Have they looked at the age profiles lately; there are now more over-65s than ever and they can travel for free. We hear about deficits and shortfalls but the reason for the losses is that bus travel is now not affordable to people on a low income. The minimum fare for a couple of stops should be no more than €1.
Look what happened in the past with real reductions in air fares – the overall revenues increased. Needless to say, next year there will be more price increases because the deficit will be even larger! – Yours, etc,
EAMON MADDEN,
Malahide, Co Dublin.