Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 4

Written Answers. - Public Transport.

Seán Haughey

Question:

385 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Transport the improvements which have been made to the public transport system in Dublin since 1997; his plans in this regard, particularly in relation to buses, quality bus corridors, the DART, Luas, Metro system, suburban rail, park and ride facilities, cycle facilities and a link to Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22318/02]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

As a result of the national development plan and the Dublin Transportation Office's "Platform for Change", significant improvements continue to be made in the public transport system in Dublin. As envisaged in the DTO strategy, a key priority aspect of the investment in the future will be suburban rail, Luas and Metro, which enable a high capacity alternative to private car commuting to be provided along selected transport corridors.

Over the last number of years there have been significant developments in rail-based public transport in the greater Dublin area, and further enhancements are also planned. Progress to date includes a 50% increase in DART capacity since 2000 as a result of the introduction of 38 additional DART cars and 100% increase in the capacity of the Maynooth line as a result of doubling of the track and provision of additional carriages.

Over the next two years, it is anticipated that morning peak capacity will increase on key rail commuter lines in and out of Dublin through the following planned investment, entry into service of 80 additional diesel railcars, the first batch of which will be delivered early next month, €117 million investment in Heuston Station between March 2002 and mid 2003 to provide four additional platforms, a signalling system upgrade and increased track capacity which will enable the station to handle extra mainline and commuter trains, particularly at peak times. Kildare line upgrade will enable a 130% increase in peak hour suburban capacity by end 2003. An additional programme of investment is being developed for investment in suburban rail for the period beyond 2003 in respect of the DART upgrade, Maynooth and Kildare lines, which will further expand rail capacity to meet the needs of the greater Dublin area.

Development of Luas is proceeding with the construction of a line from Tallaght to Connolly Station and a line from Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green. These lines will be open for passenger services in 2004. Park and ride facilities will be provided at five locations along these lines. The Railway Procurement Agency is currently working on proposals for extension of these lines from Sandyford to Cherrywood and from Connolly to the Docklands.

Earlier this year, the Government approved the commencement of the procurement process for phase one of the Metro from Dublin Airport and Blanchardstown to the city centre and Shanganagh as a public private partnership. As part of this process the RPA have in the last few days submitted an outline business case for Metro phase one. I will be considering the various options for the Metro contained in the business case over the coming weeks.

In relation to a rail link to Dublin Airport, the Dublin Transportation Office Strategy considered that the Metro represented the best option for serving the airport and for reducing traffic congestion in the city. I have no other proposal for a heavy rail link to Dublin Airport.

As to bus services, the highlights are as follows. With the assistance of the EU and Exchequer funding, the Bus Átha Cliath bus fleet has increased by more than 25% since 1999 as a result of new buses and subcontracting of private operators. All buses purchased since 2000 are low floor and wheelchair accessible. This represents almost 35% of the city fleet and some 35 bus routes in Dublin now have fully accessible services.

There are now nine quality bus corridors in operation around the city have helped to reduce the bus journey times by up to 40% in some cases. Further expansion of the QBC network and improved bus priority is envisaged in coming years. Commuters in the greater Dublin area are also benefiting from the enhanced services provided by Bus Éireann on all the main radial routes into Dublin, with buses leaving every fifteen minutes during peak hours from towns like Navan and Drogheda.

Finally in relation to cycling, over 160 kilometres of cycle routes have been completed in the Dublin region and 2,500 cycle parking spaces have been provided. Further expansion of the cycle network is planned with the assistance of the traffic management grants administered by the Dublin Transportation Office.