STATE support for Dublin Bus has increased by more than 740% in a decade, while its passenger numbers increased by just 7%.

Noel Dempsey, the transport minister, has told the Dail that the subvention to the company last year was €80m, compared with €8.8m in 1997. Dublin Bus transported 147m passengers last year, up just 10m on a decade earlier. This means the state subsidy per passenger has risen from €0.06 to €0.54.

The company is already in discussions with the Department of Transport about a fare increase for next year, and is also looking for a higher subvention for 2009.

The transport department said the huge rise in support to the company reflects the increased range of services it provides, and the number of new buses. “Dublin Bus has one of the youngest fleets in Europe,” said a department spokesman. “There are also inflationary pressures such as increased fuel and labour costs over the period.”

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