The price of bus, rail and Luas tickets will increase from next month. 

The National Transport Authority (NTA) says prices for single and return tickets bought with cash, Leap fares and pre-paid ticket prices are due to increase from December 1st. 

Falling passenger numbers and the poor financial situation at  CIE are being blamed.

Price increases will vary depending on which company you travel with.

The Irish Independent says there is no single across-the-board increase and the hike depends on factors including the number of stops travelled, different zones involved, travel times and passenger demand on certain routes.

Varying increases

The NTA had approved an application to increase prices on Dublin Bus pre-paid tickets by an average of 5.6% last February.

There is also speculation that routes with very low usage will be discontinued or have a reduced service.

Barry Kenny is a spokesperson for Iarnroid Eireann.

He  told Breakfast here on Newstalk the increases will vary widely.

Bus Eireann will avergae at 6%, Dublin Bus will see increase of betwenn 4% and 7.5&.

DART and Commuter train zones will see a rise of between 9and 10% while longer distance commuter and inter-city routes will increase 2.5% and 4%.