asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he will outline the Government's policy on the provision of an efficient and economic public transport system in the Dublin area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Public Transport System.
7.
Policy on the provision of public transport in the Dublin area is based on the Transport Acts which deal with CIE and the Road Transport Act, 1932, which regulates the licensing of bus services. As a consequence rail services are provided by Iarnród Éireann and bus services are almost completely provided by Bus Átha Cliath in the area. Exchequer financial support, as necessary, will continue to be provided for these companies, in line with available resources, with the objective of keeping fares as low as possible.
In October 1987 the Government instructed CIE to prepare transport investment plans for the Dublin area involving bus-based options or diesel services on existing rail lines. I understand that the board will be in a position to forward their plans to me shortly for consideration.
Existing services, adapted as necessary, decisions reached on the basis of the CIE plans and any changes which may result from the planned new road passenger transport legislation following the review of the Road Transport Act, 1932, will be the basis for meeting public transport needs in the foreseeable future.
The activities of the Dublin Transportation Task Force in improving traffic managment and introducing further measures in that regard will facilitate the greater use of public transport.
Since the general directive of October 1987 to suspend consideration of the DART, has the Minister issued any other directives to Dublin Bus or Iarnród Éireann with regard to transport services in the city? Have his Department had an input into the very serious cutback in services by Dublin Bus during the past few months?
The Government decision concentrated the minds of CIE on bus and diesel operations. That is as far in general policy as my Department went. The services on the ground are decided upon by CIE.
While the directive in October indicated that there should be an expansion of services by bus and diesel, is the Minister aware that the concentration he has asked for has led to a dramatic reduction in bus services in the city area?
I am fully aware of what is happening but I am also fully aware of the competence of CIE in the domain to which the Deputy is referring. With regard to diesel services, there have been improvements in the services available to citizens.
In view of the appalling record of Bus Átha Cliath, would the Minister consider as a matter of urgency the introduction of amending legislation to the 1932 Transport Act in order to allow private operators to operate in the Dublin area?
A very detailed consideration of the 1932 Act has been completed and I will be bringing legislation to the House. I am not at liberty until the Government make decisions to indicate what will be in the legislation.
Have the views of the members of the European Parliament from the Minister's party who represent the Dublin area been brought to his attention? They have committed themselves publicly to press for investment for the extension of the DART service. Will the Minister bear this in mind in formulating policy?
They have not been brought to my attention but my attention has concentrated on them. Any help from the European Community for the development of our transport system in Dublin will be welcome.
I would ask the Minister to look at a particular aspect of the Dublin transport services. I refer to the difficulty caused by the fact that the feeder buses for the DART services are provided by Iarnród Éireann and are not linked into Dublin Bus. The feeder bus seeks to meet with the train services but it does not work in with the rest of the bus services. Will the Minister look at this peculiarity?
I will have a look at it but I am a little puzzled about what the Deputy wants. Does he want the buses to feed the train or the trains to feed the buses? I am not sure what the problem is.
They are not co-ordinated.
The whole idea was that the buses would feed the DART system.
At the moment they are missing each other and that is because there are two authorities.
I am not so aware but I will inquire into the matter.