Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Dublin Traffic Management.

Ivan Yates

Question:

44 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that adequate park and ride facilities have been put in place in conjunction with the construction of quality bus corridors, particularly on the periphery of Dublin; and the steps, if any, he is taking to urgently procure these facilities in order that longer distance commuters can avail of these services. [20805/99]

Derek McDowell

Question:

53 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the document published by the Dublin Transport Authority, the Dublin Transportation Blueprint 2000-2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23314/99]

Ivor Callely

Question:

96 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the frustration of many motorists in relation to Dublin's transportation needs particularly to encourage the success of the quality bus corridors and the need for appropriate infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23275/99]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 53, 65 and 96 together.

The DTI strategy, which was published in 1995 with a planning horizon to 2011, provides the framework for a wide range of initiatives to respond to Dublin's transportation needs. These include major infrastructural projects such as Luas, the Dublin Port tunnel and completion of the Dublin C-ring, other improvements in public transport, such as quality bus corridors; and traffic and parking management measures. Progress with the construction and planning of these infrastructural projects is indicated in work being undertaken on the DART extensions and the southern cross motorway, and ministerial approvals to the Tallaght-Abbey Street and Sandyford-St. Stephen's Green links of the Luas and to the south-eastern and northern motorways. By the end of 2000, it is estimated that more than £500 million will have been invested in Dublin transport management and infrastructure within the DTI framework. Under the national development plan, which has just been published, over £3 billion is provided to continue DTI – related funding through the period 2000 to 2006.

The DTO short-term action plan, published in September 1998, is designed to advance and accelerate a set of measures consistent with the DTI strategy which can be completed in the period to end 2000. Detailed objectives include completion of 12 QBCs and 180 kms of cycle tracks by the end of 2000, provision by the end of 1999 of an additional 150 buses by Dublin Bus at a cost of £26 million, additional rolling stock for the DART, the lengthening of outer suburban and key DART station platforms, and the upgrading by the end of 2000 of the Maynooth-Clonsilla rail line.

Good progress is being made with implementation of the short-term action plan. For example, the programme of platform lengthening has commenced, contracts have been entered into for the additional DART rolling stock, work is proceeding on the planning, design and implementation of the QBC network with three QBCs now in operation, and 132 of the new buses have already been delivered, of which 102 are in service. Moreover, the increased bus capacity now available is enabling the provision of significantly enhanced bus services along the three QBC routes. This capacity will be further augmented as more buses become available in the coming months.

The development of quality bus corridors and park and ride facilities are important elements within the framework of the DTI strategy and the DTO short-term action plan. Three QBCs have already been completed and results from the Lucan and Malahide QBCs, which have been in operation for some time, indicate an overall increase in total person trips, a considerable reduction in bus journey times, and an increase in bus passengers of between 15 per cent and 20 per cent on the routes. Preliminary results for the Stillorgan QBC indicate that bus patronage on this corridor has more than doubled in the short time since the QBC became operational.

In addition, the provision of park and ride facilities is being encouraged by the inclusion of a tax incentive regime in the Finance Act, 1999, aimed at encouraging the participation of the private sector in the development of park and ride facilities, and also by the provision of £2 million in the 1999 budget for the development of such facilities in the Dublin area. This funding is being used for the development of new and the upgrading of existing, mainly rail-based, park and ride facilities. I recently published guidelines on the development of park and ride facilities setting out criteria and requirements for developers to avail of the tax incentives provided in the Finance Act, 1999.

The Dublin Transportation Blueprint 2000-2006 was published by the DTO in September 1999 to assist the preparation of the national development plan. The contribution of the blueprint to the NDP process has been valuable and all of its significant elements are now endorsed by the NDP.