I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this important matter. I have raised this issue as a result of ongoing representations from constituents about the quality of Dublin Bus services and because of the experience of one constituent last week. This individual uses the No. 77 bus to travel from his home in Drimnagh to work in Tallaght. On 12 November, he telephoned me in a state of annoyance because of his experiences that morning. He arrived at the bus stop on the Crumlin Road at 8.10 a.m. but did not get a bus until 9.27 a.m., one hour and 17 minutes later. One bus passed at 8.40 a.m. but it was full. Everyone would agree that this type of service is not acceptable. The Minister will also agree that such a service is an incentive for people to use their cars. Unfortunately my constituent is not lucky enough to own a car.
There is a need to think strategically about public transport in Dublin. We need to plan and invest and we need action. I welcome the Minister's recent announcement that extra buses will be provided. However, Dublin Bus needs more than a once-off investment from public transport initiatives.
At about 4 per cent, public transport in Dublin is the least subsidised of any European capital. This must be compared with Brussels, Bonn and Amsterdam which have subsidy levels in excess of 60 per cent. The system in Rome is subsidised by more than 80 per cent. Bus users in Dublin are badly neglected.
Dublin Bus could introduce a number of useful initiatives. For example, it could increase the number of outlets at which tickets are sold. This is a simple measure and many shops would be glad of the extra business. The company could also modernise the manner in which tickets are used. In Italy it is possible to buy a packet of tickets which are used individually. One puts the ticket into a machine which retains the ticket. This is less cumbersome than the system used in Dublin. It would decrease the amount of time lost at bus stops and relieve the frustration of motorists caught behind buses.
Dublin Bus badly needs to invest in new technology. In particular, it must invest in electronic noticeboards which could be installed at major bus stops. Such signs would tell the public when the next bus is due. It is very frustrating to read on the timetable that the next bus is due in a few minutes but one does not know if the bus has gone or when it will arrive. Electronic noticeboards would indicate when the next bus is due or whether it is gone. One could then reconsider one's options. The service must be improved or else traffic will continue to dominate the political agenda. It should not do so as we should have solved this problem. It can be solved. More investment is needed in the infrastructure of public transport and by way of subsidies or else I will have many more unfortunate constituents.