Seán Ryan
Question:125 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the extension of quality bus corridors in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16891/03]
Written Answers. - Public Transport.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:149 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Trans port his plans for improved bus travel times in Dublin City, especially between the canals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16858/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 149 together.
There are nine QBCs currently in operation in Dublin: Malahide, Lucan, Stillorgan, Finglas, north Clondalkin, Rathfarnham, Tallaght, Swords and Blanchardstown. Further provision of QBCs and their development as a quality bus network is the responsibility of the QBN project office, recently established by Dublin City Council to take over delivery of on-street bus priority measures set out in the Dublin Transportation Office's, A Platform for Change.
The QBN project office has developed a prioritised programme of QBCs. The schemes that are included in this programme that fall within the canal cordon are: St. Stephen's Green; Patrick Street-Nicholas Street and Werburgh Street-Bride Street; Clanbrassil Street; Heuston Station via Steevens' Lane to James's Street; Parnell Street east-Summerhill-Ballybough Road-Fairview Strand. In addition, the Ballymun QBC is to be launched in 2004 and will provide increased and improved services to commuters on the northside of Dublin. The south Clondalkin QBC and the orbital Tallaght to airport QBC are due for completion in 2005. Extension of the Stillorgan QBC is planned and six of the existing QBCs have already been reviewed in order to identify areas for improvement to provide improved services. It is envisaged that these enhancements will be carried out in 2003 and 2004.
I recently announced plans to accelerate the provision of QBCs in Dublin, and other urban areas around the country, and have called upon the relevant planning and transport authorities, including the Dublin Transportation Office, Dublin City Council's director of traffic, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, to bring forward an enhanced traffic plan for the city and to discuss with me how to accelerate the role of the bus in Dublin.
Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 100.
Question No. 127 answered with Question No. 111.
Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 82.
Question No. 129 answered with Question No. 79.