Rise in intercity train fares criticised

Fine Gael and the Labour Party have criticised the decision by Iarnrod Eireann to increase train fares on its intercity routes.

The Labour Party spokesman on public enterprise, Mr Emmet Stagg, said the rise in promotional fares was "outrageous and unnecessary" and low income earners would be the worst hit.

Mr Jim Higgins, Fine Gael public enterprise and tourism spokesman, said the increase was "totally unjustified and counter-productive given the existing poor quality of service".

Mr Higgins said the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, should have ensured that trains in use since the 1960s and "decrepid and uncomfortable" carriages were replaced before approving fare increases.

Fares will go up from Thursday on commuter tickets. Intercity commuter tickets will increase by an average of 10 per cent. A weekly commuter ticket from Athlone to Dublin will increase from £43.50 to £48.00, while the same type of ticket from Dundalk to Dublin will go up by £3.00 to £34.00. The Mullingar to Dublin and Kildare to Dublin weekly commuter tickets will increase from £24.00 to £26.50. Suburban commuters will not be affected.

The cost of five-day and weekend returns, monthly and day savers, and student and family return fares will be raised by a maximum of £1.50.

A spokesman for Iarnrod Eireann, Mr Barry Kenny, said the rises were necessary due to inflationary pressures and a requirement for the company to contribute to a £1 billion investment programme from its own resources.

As part of the National Development Plan, the company would renew carriages on DART, suburban and intercity services and upgrade stations, he said. But this programme could not be kept on schedule without revenue from fare increases.