To ask the Minister for Regional Development whether improvements to the Northern Ireland Railways services, particularly developing rail corridors, will lead to increased ticket prices.

Northern Ireland Railways receives an annual operating subsidy, Public Service Obligation, from the Department to ensure that rail fares are at a level which supports the Department's objectives of increasing the use of public transport and delivering a more sustainable economy. This will clearly be influenced by the overall budget available to my Department and the operating costs of NI Railways and its ability to generate fare income. Increased rail corridors may or may not increase ticket prices depending upon how they impact on the above.