CIE Fare Increase – Tip of Rip off Ireland iceberg: Young FG

This weekend’s call by CIE for an increase of 9% in fares for bus, Dart and rail users has been slammed by Young Fine Gael President, Elizabeth Munnelly, as a “cynical and self serving attempt to rip off young Irish people”.

“This fare hike is completely unwarranted and unreasonable and will penalise thousands of young people who use public transport.

“Third level students are particularly vulnerable to this fare increase. It comes at a time when they face increased accommodation costs and an escalating cost of living. Mainline and Commuter Rail together with Dublin Bus are the most popular means of transport for young people, it will be impossible for young people to avoid being hit in the pocket as a result.

“The proposed fare hike is particularly hard to accept coming as it does at a time when international fuel prices are down by about 10% and is hard to justify when this current Government’s Transport 21 strategy is already running behind schedule”, added Munnelly.

“Young people have been crucified with stealth taxation and soaring prices in the lifetime of this government. The government is fuelling inflation and has increased prices in sectors which it has responsibility for by a rate of 52% over the last five years. The proposed CIE fare hike represents the latest tip of the Rip Off Ireland iceberg” added Munnelly,