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Translink to meet over fare rises Translink to defer ticket rises
(about 8 hours later)
Translink is to meet the Consumer Council to explain why it is increasing bus and rail fares by up to 10%. Fare increases on Northern Ireland's buses and trains will be "deferred", Translink has said.
The Council said Translink had informed them of the increases but "meaningful consultation" had not taken place.
The company published details of fare revisions on Thursday, and said they would come into effect on 4 May.The company published details of fare revisions on Thursday, and said they would come into effect on 4 May.
On Friday, Translink said it would defer the increase pending a meeting between the Consumer Council and DRD Minister Conor Murphy on 29 April.
The Council said Translink had informed them of the increases but "meaningful consultation" had not taken place.
"The Consumer Council wish to have further discussions and we're happy to facilitate those, it's the right thing to do," said Translink's Ciaran Rogan."The Consumer Council wish to have further discussions and we're happy to facilitate those, it's the right thing to do," said Translink's Ciaran Rogan.
The Consumer Council said it would release a full statement after the consultation took place.The Consumer Council said it would release a full statement after the consultation took place.
A spokesman said: "We have a role to play in the fare review process but meaningful consultation hasn't happened and so we can't provide assurances to consumers on the fare review.A spokesman said: "We have a role to play in the fare review process but meaningful consultation hasn't happened and so we can't provide assurances to consumers on the fare review.
"We're trying to get those assurances from Translink now. We asked them to defer the announcement.""We're trying to get those assurances from Translink now. We asked them to defer the announcement."
Translink's planned increases would see cross-border bus and rail fares rise by an average of 10%.Translink's planned increases would see cross-border bus and rail fares rise by an average of 10%.
Ulsterbus and Goldline fares face an average 2% increase, while NI Railways fares will go up by an average of 3%.Ulsterbus and Goldline fares face an average 2% increase, while NI Railways fares will go up by an average of 3%.
Ciaran Rogan said the company was "under fairly severe financial pressures for next year, a lot of our costs are increasing".Ciaran Rogan said the company was "under fairly severe financial pressures for next year, a lot of our costs are increasing".
He said: "We've tried to respond in as balanced a way as possible. Increasing bus fares, if they go up by 2% isn't actually a huge increase."He said: "We've tried to respond in as balanced a way as possible. Increasing bus fares, if they go up by 2% isn't actually a huge increase."
On Monday it was announced 75 Translink jobs will be cut next year.On Monday it was announced 75 Translink jobs will be cut next year.
In an answer to a question at the NI assembly, Regional Development Conor Murphy said the losses would be across the Ulsterbus, Metro and Translink services.In an answer to a question at the NI assembly, Regional Development Conor Murphy said the losses would be across the Ulsterbus, Metro and Translink services.
About 50 jobs will be shed from bus services, representing 1.5% of the current workforce, he said.About 50 jobs will be shed from bus services, representing 1.5% of the current workforce, he said.
Northern Ireland Railways could face 25 job losses, he added.Northern Ireland Railways could face 25 job losses, he added.
Mr Murphy said the cuts would be achieved through natural wastage rather than through compulsory redundancy.Mr Murphy said the cuts would be achieved through natural wastage rather than through compulsory redundancy.