Bernard J. Durkan
Question:67 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her long-term proposals for public transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13452/01]
Written Answers - Public Transport.
My long-term proposals for public transport reflect a new Government commitment to renew and develop our public transport systems as part of a Government strategy to achieve sustainable and balanced regional development.
Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, there will be a major public transport investment programme comprising investments to ensure improvements in mainline rail, urban public transport and national public transport services. Under the NDP the greater Dublin area would receive public transport investment of £1,585 million and the regions outside the greater Dublin area would be receive funding of the order of £650 million.
I am also embarking on a process of regulatory and institutional reform to revitalise public transport and to find effective solutions to congestion. These proposals were set out in a Government consultation paper, published in September 2000, entitled A New Institutional and Regulatory Framework for Public Transport, which dealt with regulation of the bus market in the greater Dublin area and set out proposals for institutional reform of public transport. I am awaiting the response of the Public Transport Partnership Forum, a sub-committee of which is carrying out a comparative study in this area before submitting its views to Government.
Public consultation is also taking place on the Government proposals for a new authority to deal with land use and transport in the greater Dublin area. These proposals are set out in a consultation paper entitled New Institutional Arrangements for Land Use and Transport in the greater Dublin area, published in April. It is proposed that the new strategic authority would have responsibility for strategic transport and land use planning and independent regulation of public transport.
I hope to commence a review of bus market regulation outside the greater Dublin area shortly. My Department is also working on proposals for a rural transport policy. The projected launch of the rural transport initiative in June is a measure of my commitment to this area.
In summary, my long-term plans and proposals are designed to spearhead a major investment and regulatory reform programme which will renew and upgrade our transport systems and thereby contribute to sustaining economic progress and promoting social cohesion.