Trevor Sargent
Question:162 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport if he will accelerate the process within his Department to ensure Bus Átha Cliath proposals to extend the 33 route are dealt with quickly and reasonably. [7145/03]
Written Answers - Public Transport.
Since 10 January 2001 Dublin Bus is required to notify my Department at least four weeks in advance of the commencement of proposed new services or proposed amendments to existing services. In line with this direction, my Department was notified on 21 January by Dublin Bus of proposals to amend services on the 33 route.
During the course of examining its proposals my officials noted that some of the additional services requested conflicted with services outlined in a prior application for a route licence from a private operator under the Road Transport Act 1932.
Dublin Bus was notified on 18 February that the majority of its proposals were noted. It may proceed to implement these changes without restriction. The company was requested to suspend the introduction of the remainder of the proposed changes until further notice.
My Department will complete processing the existing licence application without delay and will revert to Dublin Bus as quickly as possible. The company may then either proceed with the remaining proposed changes or, alternatively, will be asked to review them in the light of any licence that may have been issued in the interim to the private operator for the route in question.