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Translink fare rise 'to go ahead' Translink fare rise 'to go ahead'
(about 2 hours later)
Transport Minister Conor Murphy has confirmed Translink's plans to increase fares will go ahead, but the level of price rises has not been finalised.Transport Minister Conor Murphy has confirmed Translink's plans to increase fares will go ahead, but the level of price rises has not been finalised.
Last week, Translink deferred fare revisions due to come into force on 4 May, after the Consumer Council said it had not been adequately consulted.Last week, Translink deferred fare revisions due to come into force on 4 May, after the Consumer Council said it had not been adequately consulted.
Mr Murphy met the Consumer Council on Wednesday to discuss the proposals.Mr Murphy met the Consumer Council on Wednesday to discuss the proposals.
"It's inevitable we'll see some sort of increase - my intention has to be to keep increases to a minimum," he said."It's inevitable we'll see some sort of increase - my intention has to be to keep increases to a minimum," he said.
"Obviously, the detail of each individual fare is something we'll want to work out between Translink, the Consumer Council and the department - that work has been going on all week and it's reaching a conclusion," he added."Obviously, the detail of each individual fare is something we'll want to work out between Translink, the Consumer Council and the department - that work has been going on all week and it's reaching a conclusion," he added.
Mr Murphy described his meeting with the Consumer Council as "positive and constructive".Mr Murphy described his meeting with the Consumer Council as "positive and constructive".
"We reassured the Consumer Council about what we expected their role in this process to be - quite clearly there was a breakdown in that," he said."We reassured the Consumer Council about what we expected their role in this process to be - quite clearly there was a breakdown in that," he said.
"While I had given approval on a range of average fare increases, the Consumer Council felt they hadn't been involved in the detail of that to the extent they would have liked.""While I had given approval on a range of average fare increases, the Consumer Council felt they hadn't been involved in the detail of that to the extent they would have liked."
'Informed''Informed'
Meanwhile, the handling of the fare increases was criticised at Stormont on Wednesday by members of the Committee for Regional Development.Meanwhile, the handling of the fare increases was criticised at Stormont on Wednesday by members of the Committee for Regional Development.
Committee chairman Fred Cobain said assembly members knew nothing about the fare increase, adding: "It will not happen again. This committee will be kept informed."Committee chairman Fred Cobain said assembly members knew nothing about the fare increase, adding: "It will not happen again. This committee will be kept informed."
Department of Regional Development deputy secretary Doreen Brown told the committee that the department had agreed to increases of 2% on buses and 3% on rail only after the minister opposed earlier attempts at introducing greater increases.Department of Regional Development deputy secretary Doreen Brown told the committee that the department had agreed to increases of 2% on buses and 3% on rail only after the minister opposed earlier attempts at introducing greater increases.
Ms Brown said the committee did not receive prior notification of previous price changes and argued, as did Translink representatives, that the usual procedures had been followed.Ms Brown said the committee did not receive prior notification of previous price changes and argued, as did Translink representatives, that the usual procedures had been followed.
Translink officials told the committee large price increases in some types of ticket could have been avoided by buying special multi-journey tickets, a claim dismissed as "PR waffle" by Sinn Fein's Raymond McCartney. Translink officials told the committee large price increases in some types of ticket could have been avoided by buying special multi-journey tickets, a claim dismissed as "PR waffle" by committee member Raymond McCartney.
Translink said it worked hard to meet rising costs without hitting customers.Translink said it worked hard to meet rising costs without hitting customers.
Last week, it was announced 75 Translink jobs will be cut next year, through natural wastage rather than compulsory redundancy, across the Ulsterbus, Metro and Translink services.Last week, it was announced 75 Translink jobs will be cut next year, through natural wastage rather than compulsory redundancy, across the Ulsterbus, Metro and Translink services.