Labour Transport Spokesperson Tommy Broughan T.D. has warmly welcomed the new Dublin Bus 50 cent city centre fare.

Deputy Broughan said, "Dublin Bus’ decision to introduce a new city centre fare of 50 cent is greatly welcome and is in line with long-standing Labour Party policy for lower and simplified bus and public transport fares. International experience has shown that lower, simpler fares encourage more people to use public transport. Labour has previously proposed a €1 flat fare for all city bus services.

"The new 50 cent fare will begin from Monday next with the introduction of the busgate which will ban traffic at peak times from College Green in Dublin. Dublin Bus has earmarked a City Centre Zone from Parnell Square to St. Stephen’s Green and from Connolly Station to Parliament Street. Although some constituents have been in touch to ask why the East/West zone does not extend to at least Heuston Station.

"However, the fare innovations being proposed by Dublin Bus management led by Joe Meagher, Paddy Doherty and Mick Matthews need to be accompanied by a range of other long promised technical bus improvements for which Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has ultimate responsibility.

"These commuter focused improvements include fully integrated ticketing, real time information and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems. Minister Dempsey’s own recent Deloitte review of the bus sector also highlighted the absence of these critical systems from Irish bus networks."