CIE says the effects of traffic congestion cost the transport group €52m last year, according to its annual report published today.
CIE has reported a deficit of €3.6m for last year, compared with a deficit of €7.8m in 2001, with two of its three companies - Iarnrod Eireann and Bus Eireann - reporting deficits while Dublin Bus recorded a surplus.
The group performance was boosted by a profit of nearly €21m from property sales, mainly in Tallaght and Serpentine Avenue in Dublin.
Iarnrod Eireann's deficit was €22.5m, while Bus Eireann's was €9.4m. Dublin Bus had a surplus of €3.4m, as revenue grew 3.8% to €159m. CIE Tours International recorded a profit of €0.5m from revenues of €52.7m.
CIE received €252.7m in State grants for providing public transport services. This was €7.6m higher than in 2001. In addition, the group received Exchequer funding of €237.8m for capital spending and €800,000 in revenue support grants.
The average number of people employed in CIE rose by 170 to 12,311 last year.
