Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 3

Written Answers. - Public Transport.

Joe Sherlock

Question:

104 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if the report of the inter-departmental committee on rural public transport found that four out of ten rural dwellers have no access to even a basic bus or rail service; the steps being taken to address this situation; when the committee's report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23137/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The report of the inter-departmental committee on rural public transport puts forward proposals for the development of a rural public transport policy. The report was published on my Department's website on 14 July 2003 and is available on on-line at www.transport.ie. The report has also been presented to the Public Transport Partnership Forum for its consideration.

The report takes into account the results of a nationwide survey on rural transport needs and services carried out by each rural county development board in 2001. I am addressing the lack of public transport services in rural areas through developments such as the rural transport initiative – RTI. The RTI provides funding on a pilot basis for 34 community organisations and com munity partnerships throughout the country to address the particular transport needs of their areas. Under the RTI, some 2000 new rural transport services are now being provided on some 300 new routes. These services are carrying some 15,000 people each month and the numbers are rising as new transport services are rolled out and as existing services are developed to their full capacity.