Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 6

Written Answers. - Dublin Traffic Management.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

59 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has for additional measures to deal with Dublin's chronic traffic problems; the progress made to date in implementing the Dublin traffic action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10853/99]

Ivor Callely

Question:

198 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the integrated transport strategy to meet Dublin's transportation needs; if the final report of the Dublin Transport Initiative (1994) is on schedule for implementation and operation for the target date of 2001; the short-term measures to improve transport in the city which have been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8897/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 198 together.

The DTI Strategy, which was published in 1995 with a planning horizon to 2011, provides the framework for a wide range of initiatives in response to Dublin's transportation needs. These include: major infrastructural projects such as Luas, the Dublin Port Tunnel and completion of the Dublin C-Ring; improvements in public transport through the provision of Quality Bus Corridors, additional buses, additional rolling stock for DART and suburban rail, and the upgrading of suburban rail lines; improvements in traffic and parking management.

Progress has been made on many fronts with implementation of measures recommended in DTI. There have, however, been delays in implementation of major infrastructural projects such as Luas and the C-Ring; in addition, traffic growth in the Dublin region has been significantly higher than anticipated.

The DTO short-term action plan, broadly endorsed by Government and published by the Dublin Transportation Office last September, is designed to advance and accelerate a set of measures consistent with the DTI Strategy which can be completed in the period up to end 2000. Its focus is on public transport enhancement, traffic and parking management and the provision of cycling facilities. Detailed objectives include: completion by end 2000 of the original 11 QBC network and the provision of a QBC serving Ballymun; provision by end 1999 of an additional 150 buses by Dublin Bus; provision of additional rolling stock for DART; lengthening of 12 outer suburban and key DART platforms; upgrading of Maynooth-Clonsilla rail line, and completion of 160 kilometres of cycle tracks by end 2000.

Implementation of the short-term action plan is being undertaken by the various local authorities and CIE under the co-ordination of the DTO. Good progress is being made with implementation of the plan. For example, orders have been placed for the new buses with delivery of the first batch to be completed by June; work is proceeding on the planning, design and implementation of the QBC network; the programme of platform lengthening has commenced; and contracts have been entered into for additional DART rolling stock.

The 1999 Estimates include an increased provision of £24 million for the DTO – up from £9 million in 1998 and £7 million in 1997 – to fund key elements of the short-term action plan, (this includes £2 million towards the cost of pilot park and ride facilities in the Dublin area); £17 million for the provision of additional buses.

Since the publication of the short-term action plan, the Minister for Finance has also announced the removal of benefit in kind taxation from public transport passes provided by employers for their employees; tax incentives to promote park and ride facilities; a review of the potential for benefit in kind taxation of workplace parking.

In the longer term, the DTO has begun the process of updating the original DTI Strategy; this will lead to the publication of a revised and updated strategy for the period 2000 to 2016. The intention is to complete this updating work by end 1999, with an investment programme to be finalised in advance of this to assist the preparation of the new national development plan.