John Bruton
Question:23 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has responded to the written request to meet with the Transport for All Campaign; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13799/99]
Written Answers. - Public Transport.
I met representatives of Transport for All on 14 June 1999. We had a detailed and very useful discussion on a range of matters and I undertook to respond to them quickly on a number of issues for which I have ministerial responsibility.
I have since written to Transport for All indicating that I propose to establish a public transport accessibility committee to advise me on issues relating to accessibility to public transport for mobility impaired and disabled people. I have also asked CIE to establish accessibility units in each of its operating companies, in so far as they are not already in place.
Ivor Callely
Question:24 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the public's disquiet over public transport provision in the Dublin area in that relevant Government Departments and transport agencies make recommendations such as quality bus corridors and the relevant service provider does not seem to be in a position to supply the additional transport vehicles to ensure a smooth transition of use of the quality bus corridor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16300/99]
Ivor Callely
Question:59 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to difficulties DART commuters are experiencing particularly due to inadequate capacity of the rolling stock; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16272/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 59 together.
The provision of adequate capacity on our public transport system to meet demand is one of the key objectives of the initiatives being taken by this Government to relieve traffic congestion in Dublin. The Government fully recognises the traffic problems being experienced in Dublin and the fact that future development within the greater Dublin area must be based around public transport. To address this problem and to encourage a shift from private to public transport requires considerable investment and other measures to provide attractive frequent and reliable public transport services.
The Dublin Transportation Office's Short Term Action Plan, published in September 1998, recommended a number of measures to address the faster than projected growth in traffic and slower than anticipated implementation of key elements of the Dublin Transportation Initiative. I immediately responded to the DTO Short Term Action Plan by approving a total investment of over £80 million of investment in buses and suburban rail. These measures form part of an overall package designed to increase peak hour capacity by 37,000 trips. For the first time, the Exchequer has provided direct capital funding for bus and rail investment.
The Deputy has particularly referred to quality bus corridors and the DART service. The provision of QBCs was a key recommendation of the Dublin Transportation Initiative. In all, 12 Quality Bus Corridors will be completed by the end of 2000. The need to increase the bus fleet to ensure the effective utilisation of the network of QBCs and to meet capacity requirements has been recognised and approval has already been given for the acquisition by Bus Átha Cliath of 150 additional buses during 1999 at a total cost of approximately £25.5 million.
So far this year 56 of these buses have been delivered with the remainder being delivered in phases before the end of the year. The 150 buses will provide an additional 9,500 peak hour bus trips – an increase of 20 per cent. Bus Átha Cliath is also planning to increase capacity through fleet replacement and subcontracting of school bus runs to private bus operators.
In relation to the DART service I would point out that ten new DART carriages are due for delivery in October and November this year and a further 16 will be delivered by end of 2000.
These 26 new carriages will be used to enhance existing services and to operate six car train sets. They will also be used to cater for the extended DART network to Malahide and Greystones. They will increase the DART fleet from 80 to 106 carriages – a 30 per cent increase in capacity.
My Department is currently considering detailed public transport investment proposals from the Dublin Transportation Office and the CIE companies as part of its preparatory work for the national development plan. I envisage that the plan will set out a comprehensive strategy and investment programme for public transport in the years 2000 to 2006.