Public transport use at 25-year high - CIÉ

More people are using public transport than at anytime over the last 25 years, according to CIÉ's annual report published today.

Passenger numbers at Bus Átha Cliath rose 2.3 per cent to 149 million passengers over 2002 and Bus Éireann carried over 50 million passengers last year.

However, urban gridlock is costing both bus companies €68.6 million a year. According to the report average day-long city bus speeds are as low as 12 kph. compared to an international average of 23 kph.

The report shows that Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and the CIÉ holding company all returned a surplus for 2003, but a one-off restructuring cost of €20 million for Iarnród Éireann has left the CIÉ group with a deficit of €4 million.

Bus Átha Cliath returned a surplus of €7.4 million while Bus Éireann recorded a turnaround from losses of €9.4 million in 2002 to profits of €1.5 million in 2003.

Iarnród Éireann made an operating surplus of €7 million however, when off set against restructuring costs an overall deficit of €19.4 million was recorded.

The report also shows that CIÉ group received exchequer funding of €280.6 million for capital expenditure and also €1.2 million in revenue support grants.

Payroll costs also increased by €14.5 million due mainly to pay awards under the programme for sustaining prosperity and fairness.