Vol. 568 No. 1
604 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the reason wheelchair accessible private vehicles, with disabled stickers, transporting participants to and from Special Olympic events are prohibited from using bus lanes; the current legislation in this area; the plans he has to amend this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15275/03]
The use of bus lanes in this country is provided for in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, the primary purpose of which is to facilitate and promote bus based public transport. These regulations generally limit the use of bus lanes to buses and, in the case of with-flow bus lanes, to cyclists. Having regard to the role of taxis in providing on-street immediate hire services, an exemption to that limitation is allowed in respect of taxis when they are being used in the course of business. An overriding concern is the carrying capacity of bus lanes and the potential that their primary role to provide bus priority could be undermined if other vehicles are allowed access.
A review of the regulations was carried out in 2001 and it was decided on completion of the review that there should be no change in the existing bus lane access provisions at present. Representations continue to be received periodically from hackney, limousine and motorcycle interests on the issue of bus lane access but no request for access has been received in respect of wheelchair accessible private vehicles either in the context of transporting participants to and from Special Olympics events in 2003 or in a wider context.
Dublin Bus has made extensive arrangements to carry athletes, family and friends during the period of the Special Olympics. This includes laying on extra services, cancelling all annual leave for staff during the period of the games, adjusting maintenance arrangements to accommodate the extra buses and making available a special bus ticket at reduced rates.
