Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
125. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the measures in place to promote shared vehicles or bikes; whether he has assessed international practice in this arena such as a tax credit, or other incentives to expand shared use of a fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20426/24]
View answerFirstly, I would like to assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to the promotion and expansion of shared mobility, including shared cars and bikes, in Ireland. This commitment is reflected in specific actions within this Government's Sustainable Mobility Policy Action Plan 2022-2025 and the Climate Action Plans 2023 and 2024.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel, and this funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA). The NTA, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area, including the provision and expansion of public bike schemes in Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway.
My Department is also working with the NTA to progress pilots that will test the network effect of shared mobility hubs in line with above commitments in both the SMP and CAP23. A mobility hub can be defined as a prominent location that brings together different shared mobility modes such as bikes, cargo bikes, and electric vehicles and enhances them with additional amenities, services, and information.
Subject to funding approval, it is intended that the pilots will inform the development of an operating model for mobility hubs, which will support the potential roll-out of hubs nationally, and will complement the aforementioned public bikes schemes.
To link implementation with policy, the Department recently launched a public consultation on the development of shared mobility hubs, alongside an extensive Issues Paper which reflected several examples of international practice in this area. The closing date for submissions was Friday 3 May, and the submissions received will help to inform and shape a new National Policy Statement on Shared Mobility Hubs for completion later in 2024. The issue of incentives and promotion will also be considered in this context.
As well as the foregoing public consultation, targeted stakeholder engagement will be undertaken over the coming months to further explore a range of measures that could be deployed to expand the development and use of shared fleets. However, with regard to any proposals on tax credits specifically, approval for such measures would ultimately rest with my colleague the Minister for Finance.
