Cllr Keith Martin has condemned the decision by Irish Rail to increase rail fares this week (Wednesday 9th January 2008). The "Student Return" fare the "Family One Day" and the "Family Monthly" are 4 euros, 6 euros and 8 euros more expensive respectively from today (Wednesday).

Cllr Martin says that public transport is the key to reducing pollution and car use and that the increase by Irish Rail is an incentive for more traffic on the roads, more carbon pollution and less use of the train service.

Cllr Martin points out that students will be badly hit by the increase as a student coming home every week will pay an extra €120 a year. Cllr Martin says this increase will discourage regular visits home by students and create extra hardship for those less well off in third level education.

According to Cllr Martin "families will also be discouraged from taking the train by the extra fare increase on their day or monthly return trips. We will see more families taking the car instead of the train as the price of family monthly return ticket to Dublin is now €128!"

"Low income families who rely on public transport will be hardest hit by these increases. Those with cars will be discouraged from using the train service at a time when we need to reduce carbon emissions and reduce the number of cars on the road. Irish Rail should be making train travel cheaper not more expensive."