The Department of Transport will decide in the coming weeks on a request by CIÉ for increases in fares across its train and bus network which if agreed could mean a increase of nine per cent in the New Year.
The company has put in a request to the Department of Transport for the increases in its three companies, Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), including the Dart, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus.
It is seeking an increase of 9 per cent which would include a 6 per cent rise in fares and a 3 per cent increase to cover fuel costs.
If granted, the fare increase will be the biggest in years. However, last year CIÉ requested a 7.5 per cent increase but this was rejected by Minister for Transport Martin Cullen who agreed only to a 4 per cent rise. In 2004, fares went up by 3.5 per cent.
A spokesman for CIÉ yesterday said the company was looking for a 6 per cent rise for the year on year increase in fares and 3 per cent in terms of fuel costs.
"We have entered a process reviewing annual fares with the department, another factor is additional wages costs which are also significant under the partnership agreement," he said.
A Department of Transport spokeswoman confirmed that the request for the increase had been received. She said a decision would be made in the coming weeks and any increase would take effect from the first week in January. She said the request did not include Luas.
Labour Party spokeswoman on transport, Róisín Shortall, said the Government must provide adequate funding for public transport. "Every year CIÉ is forced to submit a request for a major increase in its fares to the Minister for Transport. They are forced to do so largely because of the ongoing failure of the Government to provide sufficient investment in our national public transport system."