Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 3

Written Answers. - Public Transport.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

40 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has for the provision of an alternative public transport system in view of the intolerable traffic congestion; if she will liaise with other Departments to identify the best means of achieving the optimum in this regard; her views on the apparent lack of adequate safety standards in respect of some aspects of rail services; the plans, if any, she has to address these serious problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22677/98]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

72 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the morning rush hour passenger capacity which Dublin Bus can serve following the recent decision to sanction the purchase of a further 100 buses; if she has satisfied herself with this capacity figure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22651/98]

Ivor Callely

Question:

75 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if the semi-State public service transport companies are providing adequate services to meet commuter needs, in particular in the Dublin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22200/98]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

86 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to provide additional funding for Dublin Bus to allow for the substantial improvement in bus services required in view of the rapidly deteriorating traffic situation in Dublin, the crucial role that buses will have to play in public transport pending the completion of the Luas project and, particularly, as the level of public funding for Dublin Bus is well below the norm in most European cities of comparable size; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22547/98]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 40, 72, 75 and 86 together.

The major traffic problems in Dublin are being tackled as a matter of urgency and the strategy recommended by the Dublin Transportation Initiative provides an appropriate policy framework.

A high quality public transport system which is safe, efficient, competitive and cost effective has a key role to play in solving the present transport difficulties. It is this Government's policy to promote the provision of such a service and its commitment has been clearly shown by the swift and very positive response to the short-term action plan recently published and prepared by the Dublin Transportation Office in response to the unanticipated growth in traffic. A copy of the DTO short-term action plan has been provided.

The bulk of the public transport recommendations of the DTO action plan have already been given the go ahead for implementation. The bus service will continue to be the backbone of Dublin's public transport network. In the short term, the principal means of providing additional public transport supply is to increase the capacity of the bus network to carry substantially more passengers. The DTO action plan recommended the acquisition by Bus Átha Cliath of a further 150 buses to expand peak hour services.

As part of the reallocation of EU aid for the Luas project, approval was given to Bus Átha Cliath to acquire 50 additional buses at a total cost of £8.5 million. This is the first time that the EU has agreed to fund the purchase of buses in Ireland.

I expect to be in a position shortly to make an announcement on funding for the remaining 100 buses recommended in the action plan. Together, these 150 extra buses will provide an additional 9,500 bus trips in the peak hour, an increase of over 20 per cent.

The network of quality bus corridors will continue to be developed in order to further enhance the priority, speed, reliability and overall quality of service that buses can provide on key routes in the greater Dublin area. A total of 12 corridors will be in place by end 2000 and substantial progress is already evident on the ground. The necessary additional funding for this work was also provided as part of the Luas reallocation.

The plan also made proposals which Bus Átha Cliath intends to act upon. The company is committed to replacing 70 single deck and 50 double deck buses with 120 modern double deckers over the next two years. This will increase peak hour capacity by 2,450. Bus Átha Cliath is still in negotiations with its unions about sub-contracting school bus services and this would release additional bus capacity to meet peak demand.

All but one of the rail measures, DART signalling, proposed by the action plan have been included in the reallocation of the Luas funding. These include the upgrading of the Maynooth rail service, the purchase of 16 additional DART units and 20 suburban railcars and platform lengthening. They will be put in place by the end of 2000 and involve a total investment of £63 million.

Implementation of all the rail measures will increase morning peak hour capacity by 11,300. This is about a 60 per cent increase in total rail trips or a 17 per cent increase in total public transport trips in the morning peak.

In a major departure from existing practice, this investment will be part financed by the Exchequer. Up to now, CIE has had to finance the balance of the cost of any EU assisted project from its own resources.

As well as significantly increasing the quantity and quality of the bus and rail network, the action plan aims to accelerate the provision of safe high quality cycling facilities and extra funding is being provided through the DTO for this also.

With regard to safety standards, both Iarnród Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath assured me that safety is their main priority and is of paramount importance in all aspects of the companies' operations.