The Transport Minister says public transport operators have little option but to increase fares for commuters. Leo Varadkar says he is powerless to stop the National Transport Authority from approving higher fares for train and bus services.
The Minister says he is keen to ensure that the state subsidy for CIE will mot be cut any further from 2015 onwards.
He is also recommending that bus and rail commuters ensure they switch to Leap Cards in order to make savings on fares.
The Minister is facing questions in the Dáil over fare rises which came into effect from the start of this month.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has said fares on cash tickets, Leap Cards and pre-paid tickets are also due to increase from December 1st.
He says there was no choice but to have the fare rises because of falling passenger numbers and the slow progress on cost savings.
