Bernard Allen
Question:66 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has a public transport policy for the cities of Cork, Limerick and Waterford and towns such as Tralee, County Kerry; and if she will state the policy. [5019/01]
Written Answers. - Public Transport.
My priorities for public transport policy in the cities of Cork, Limerick and Waterford, and towns such as Tralee, are set down in the regional public transport programme of the national development plan, which provides for investment of £650 million in regional public transport. For towns and cities, the programme has the following elements: bus and rail development in the greater Cork area; bus development in Limerick, Galway and Waterford; regional bus improvements; accessibility improvements to existing public transport infrastructure and facilities; Bus Éireann ongoing fleet replacement and re-equipment; pilot measures for rural public transport to encourage local or community based initiatives to provide bus services in rural areas.
The purpose of these investments is to tackle increased congestion and to improve the quality of public transport at the local level. Last year alone, 60 new buses, all of them low floor and wheelchair accessible, were purchased by Bus Éireann for these cities. A private operator who is licensed by my Department is currently providing public transport services in Tralee.
At the strategic level, the local authorities in both Cork and Limerick have commissioned planning, land use and transportation studies, which are currently under way. My Department is participating in these studies through its representation on the advisory group of the Cork study and the steering group of the Limerick study. As to Waterford, I understand the corporation has recently retained consultants to undertake a land use study and my Department will be involved in the study process. A land use and transportation study is also under way in Tralee and CIE is represented on its steering group.