Vol. 594 No. 3
51 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport his plans to review the regulations governing school buses; if he will review the 3:2 ratio on school buses; if he has satisfied himself with the level of overcrowding on post-primary buses; if he has reviewed this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32023/04]
All buses, including school buses, are required to comply with the standards set out in the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations and the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations. Under the 3:2 provision, three children may be reckoned as two passengers when determining the passenger capacity of a bus being used to carry children to and from school or school-related physical activities.
The Department of Education and Science has overall responsibility for the administration of the school transport service, while Bus Éireann is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the service. I am advised that the Department of Education and Science is satisfied, on the basis of the information available from Bus Éireann, that school buses are being operated in accordance with the requirements of the road traffic law and that great care is taken to ensure that the loading of school buses does not exceed the maximum legal carrying capacity on each vehicle in use.
EU Directive 2003/20 provides for the mandatory wearing of seat belts by passengers in a wide range of vehicles, including buses fitted with seat belts. The implementation of the directive, which must take place from 2006 onwards, will effectively remove the three for two concession for new buses used as school buses after 2007.
In June 2003, the European Commission published proposals that provide, inter alia, for the mandatory fitment of seat belts in buses and coaches at manufacturing stage. Under the proposals it would be a requirement for the registration, sale and entry into service of new buses and coaches, from 1 January 2006 that their safety belts, restraint systems, seats and the anchorages for these would conform to the technical requirements specified in the proposed directives. Ireland actively supports the proposed measures with the intention that they will be implemented at the earliest possible date after their adoption to maximise the benefits of the requirement to use seat belts where they are fitted in vehicles, including in school buses.
In 2002 my Department published a discussion paper on school bus safety. A range of possible safety related enhancements covering vehicles, passenger related measures, and the road traffic environment in which school buses operate were identified in the paper. The purpose of the paper was to give the public an opportunity to put forward their views and suggestions on enhancing school bus safety. The responses to the discussion document are being reviewed by my Department with a view to identifying the most cost-effective approach to enhancing road safety for school transport taking into account the obligations and timing of EU requirements and proposed requirements.
The Minister of State crammed as much into his reply as children are crammed into buses. Is it the case that the new EU regulations will not be implemented on the Irish school bus fleet until at least 2023 when passenger vehicles from the Expressway fleet transfer to the school bus fleet? The last new school buses dedicated to the school transport service were provided in the 1960s. In light of that and given that 78 children are crammed into 52 seater buses, there are more regulations and standards governing the overcrowding and transportation of cattle than there are for schoolchildren. This issue needs to be addressed today, not in 2023.
It will not be as late as 2023. In regard to the Deputy's phrase about children being crammed into buses, I reiterate that Bus Éireann is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the service. I am advised that the Department of Education and Science is satisfied on the basis of the information available that school buses are operated in accordance with the requirement of the road traffic law and that great care is taken to ensure that the loading of school buses does not exceed the maximum legal carrying capacity on each vehicle in use. That is important. I indicated to the Deputy that the directive on the three for two concession must be implemented from 2006 onwards, that is, on all school buses after 2007.
Are they new school buses?
Yes. I have had discussions with Bus Éireann on the issue of school buses. It has informed me that in recent years it has taken obsolete buses off the road and replaced them with a more modern fleet. It is satisfied with the current fleet and the proposal to enhance and develop further the number of buses and their carrying capacity as well as the safety requirement on such buses.
The law is the difficulty in that it allows three 17 and 18 year olds to be crammed into two seats on a bus. Is that acceptable? Is it acceptable that three adults are crammed into two seats and that their schoolbags and sports bags are also crammed into the bus? Some 78 children are crammed into a 52 seater bus. Does the Minister of State believe the law is correct in allowing that number to be carried on a 52 seater bus? Does he have any plans to amend the law given that there will be no new school buses in either my lifetime or that of the Minister of State?
I do not know where the Deputy's questions are leading.
I am trying to reduce the 3:2 ratio.
I have already answered the question on the 3:2 concession. The safety record of school transport in Ireland is good compared with other modes of road transport and stands up well to international comparisons. On the issue of 3:2 concession and including bags as well——
I will give the Minister of State an invitation to come and see some of these school buses if he wishes.
The Deputy appears to indicate there may be an issue in regard to the safety record.
Will the Minister of State take up my invitation?
EU Directive 2003/20 provides for the mandatory wearing of seat belts by passengers and the directive must be implemented from 2006 onwards.
In reality it is 2030.
That will effectively remove the 3:2 concession.
In 2023.
52 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the extra funding that will be made available to enable his Department’s sectorial plan for accessible public transport to be developed; the way in which this extra funding will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32387/04]
I am happy to respond to this question as I have good news for the Deputy. My Department has embarked upon a major programme of investment in public transport which involves €2.5 billion up to 2009. It is a requirement of my Department that all new public transport projects submitted for Exchequer or EU financing include proposals to incorporate into the design and construction of the project full accessibility to approved standards or best practice. State bodies submitting projects for approval are no longer asked to identify the additional cost of incorporating full accessibility standards or best practice. Such standards are now treated as the norm. Actual funding will be made contingent on the companies concerned demonstrating that the projects are developed in compliance with best practice in this regard.
Good progress on accessible public transport is being made. I recently attended a European conference in Dublin Castle where Ireland was applauded on the progress being made. The Irish position in that regard is set out in the outline sectoral plan published in September 2004. I have had discussions with my Department's officials to open this plan for discussion with all the relevant stakeholders. I would be happy to hear the views of Deputy Stanton as we progress that discussion in early 2005.
I wish the Minister of State well with the project. When will the Dublin Bus fleet be fully accessible? I note a target that 60% of the fleet will be accessible by 2005. However, his Department's sectoral plan contains no targets as to when the fleet will be fully accessible. When does he expect the fleet will be fully accessible? Will the Minister of State update me on the progress being made at railway stations? His plan states that 134 stations are taking part in a new refurbishment programme. How many stations are accessible? Will he give a timescale as to when he expects all the stations to be fully accessible?
Close to 50% of the Bus Átha Cliath fleet are low floor wheelchair accessible vehicles. The policy of only purchasing such vehicles will continue. Not only are the buses running but we are now putting in the Kassell kerbing at all the bus stops. So far as I am aware, all bus stations are fully accessible. Great progress has been made in that area. On the issue of train stations, it is somewhat more difficult to make the transformation at some of the older Victorian stations but we are making progress in that area also.
What is the timeframe for train stations to be accessible? How many are accessible at present? Can the Minister give details of the timeframe envisaged in the plan? If he cannot give such details now, perhaps he can pass on the information at a later stage. When will Dublin Bus have a fully accessible fleet? What targets are in place in that regard?
I have already said that progress has been made and that approximately 50% of Dublin Bus's fleet is accessible. I will continue to pursue the programme as best I can in 2005. Bus Éireann is engaged in an accelerated investment programme to make all bus stations fully accessible by 2006. I hope we will be in a strong position by the end of 2006. New facilities such as Luas are also fully accessible.
The Deputy asked about the overall timeframe. I remind him that there will be a review at the end of 2006 to see what is left. I hope the review will be concluded by 2007. It is envisaged that almost 50% of rolling stock on inter-city railway services will be fully accessible by 2007. The railway station refurbishment programme, which covers all stations, is being implemented at present but it is more difficult, as I mentioned earlier.
What about the timeframe?
The timeframe will be 2007 and onwards.
53 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Transport the steps he intends to take to ensure that all public transport targets contained in the NDP for the BMW region are reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32038/04]
Under the national development plan, €206 million was invested directly in public transport projects in the BMW region between 2000 and 2003. Further expenditure in the region is resulting in continuous improvements to bus and rail services there. For example, all railway track in the region has been upgraded to continuous welded rail on concrete sleepers, the resignalling of the Galway-Dublin line has been completed, the Sligo-Dublin line is on target for completion in 2005 and the resignalling of the Ballina and Westport lines will be completed in 2007. All rail lines in the region will have been resignalled by that time. When new rolling stock is introduced late next year to replace Iarnród Éireann's old rolling stock and to expand the fleet, customers will see additional improvements in services in the BMW region. Expenditure on certain projects, such as the diesel rail depot at Drogheda, upgrading and improvements at Heuston Station and large investment in new rolling stock, has huge benefits for the region, such as additional capacity, shorter journey times and improved quality of service. The Department of Transport is developing a ten-year investment programme for transport, in consultation with the relevant agencies. The programme will take account of the public transport needs of all regions and will have regard to the regional planning guidelines which were recently approved.
I am sure the Minister is aware that the mid-term review of the national development plan revealed that there had been an under-spend on public transport of approximately €230 million in the BMW region. Just 43% of the allocated moneys had been spent. Can the Minister promise that specific targets, for example in respect of Iarnród Éireann projects, will be met? Will he give a commitment that the money agreed under the national development plan will be spent before 2006? Is there a commitment to meet the full target?
There certainly is such a commitment. When the programme has been completed, I expect that we will have spent the moneys we said at the outset we would spend. The under-spend that arises from time to time does not necessarily arise from a failure to make the necessary money available. The resources have been made available, but planning and development problems have arisen. I am conscious that I am not just the Minister for Dublin — there are real issues in the BMW region and the rest of the country. The ten-year envelope will allow us to examine all parts of the country. Deputy Olivia Mitchell is probably aware that Iarnród Éireann and other companies have submitted proposals for new and refurbished railway links, some of which are in the BMW region. I am anxious to bring the feasibility studies on some of the proposed lines to a conclusion. If we can proceed with such developments, we should do so. I expect to be able to spend the entire envelope.
Perhaps I am not making the point I want to make. It is now the end of 2004 — the national development plan will draw to a close in 2006. The Minister said that Iarnród Éireann has submitted proposals. I have asked if projects have been agreed, planned and funded. Will such projects be completed, or at least be well under way, by the end of 2006?
Projects have been——
Can the Minister provide details of the projects?
I do not have any details of the many projects in front of me. I can give a copy of the programme to the Deputy. That is not an issue.
I thank the Minister. I would appreciate that.
There is no problem with that.
54 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport the fare increases which have been sought by State public transport companies for 2005; his views on such increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32033/04]
80 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Transport his views on the application for an 8% fare increase from CIE across its three divisions, Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus, and Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32335/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 80 together.
The Department of Transport recently received fare increase applications from each of the CIE operating companies. Bus Éireann is seeking an increase of 8.5%, Iarnród Éireann is seeking an increase of 8.2% and Dublin Bus is seeking an increase of 8%. The main rationale for the applications is the increased operating costs faced by the companies, particularly relating to pay and fuel costs. The applications are being examined by the Department. I expect to make a decision on them shortly.
I am amused by the number of decisions the Minister plans to make shortly. He will have a very busy Christmas. I am appalled by the prospect of an increase of 8% or 9% in the fares charged by the various CIE companies, as such an increase would be much greater than the rate of inflation. While I accept that fuel costs have increased this year, the reality is that fuel prices are now tumbling. There is no justification for the proposed increase in fares.
We discussed earlier the lack of competition in the Dublin bus sector. There is no incentive for Dublin Bus to reduce prices or to introduce efficiencies which might result in a decrease in prices. Inflation in this sector should be controlled at the level of inflation in the general economy. A special level of inflation should not be put aside for public transport simply because there is no competition in the sector. Does the Minister intend to contemplate an increase of that magnitude?
The applications I have received are just applications. I subscribe to the view that all businesses in the public and private sectors have to be cost-efficient. They have to deliver the best results they can from the resources at their disposal. I expect that the three operating companies — Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus — are taking such factors into account. Many organisations and companies are facing cost increases for the same reasons. The increase in the price of fuel has affected everybody this year. I am not sure that everybody is considering an increase of 8% to compensate for it, however.
Precisely.
I am examining the applications to try to understand the reasons for them. I would like to hear what the companies can do to manage the cost increases we all face. The Government does not want to punish customers. I want to ensure that customers enjoy real and direct benefits, to encourage more people to use public transport and to make it as cost-efficient as possible.
Does the Minister realise that much of that is in his own hands?
Does the Minister intend to demand that initiatives are introduced to ensure that fares do not increase? I refer to initiatives such as integrated ticketing, which has been promised for years by the Minister's two immediate predecessors. When will it be introduced?
It has already been initiated. I will give more details on the matter shortly, in response to Question No. 62. I hope we will reach that question. Integrated ticketing will be introduced on the Luas system in January. I have told all the companies, including Dublin Bus, that I would like them to introduce integrated ticketing in 2005. I agree with the Deputy in this regard. I strongly believe that people would like to see integrated public transport. The introduction of a smart card ticket will be a significant step in that direction. I want the process to be completed in 2005.
Will that include Iarnród Éireann?
I have spoken to representatives of Iarnród Éireann. The system will be introduced soon by Dublin Bus and Luas. I would like Iarnród Éireann to be part of that process. I will give further details in response to Question No. 62. I will deal with it.
55 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which targets set by his Department in the national development plan have been achieved to date or are achievable with cost and time projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32384/04]
222 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he has examined the achievements to date in regard to the targets set by his Department in the context of the national development plan; if he proposes action to expedite delivery in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32546/04]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 122 together.
Good progress is being made in achieving the targets set for the transport sector under the national development plan. This was confirmed by the independent mid-term evaluation of the plan undertaken last year, which included an evaluation of both the roads and public transport programmes.
The first round of projects approved under the regional airports measures of the BMW and the south and east regional operational programmes was completed on time and within cost estimates. A further round of projects is being considered and I hope to be in a position to announce allocations shortly.
The bus network in the greater Dublin area has been significantly upgraded and expanded and the provision of quality bus corridors has helped improve bus journey times. Services have been expanded on the DART system and on the outer suburban rail network and further expansion is planned next year. The opening of both Luas lines has met a strong positive response from the travelling public, and further extensions to the network are being considered. New rail services have been introduced between Cork and Cobh and Limerick and Ennis and the delivery next year of 67 new rail carriages and an additional 36 rail cars will further enhance rail services outside the greater Dublin area. Bus services in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford have also been significantly enhanced while expenditure to date under the rural transport initiative, at €9 million, is more than double the allocation under the national development plan.
The objectives of the national development plan regarding mainline rail included completion of the Railway Safety Programme 1999-2003 and reconstitution before the end of 2003 of the railway safety task force to prepare recommendations for a second five-year safety programme. Both objectives were met. The reconstituted railway safety task force has completed its work and its recommendations will shortly be submitted to Government.
Good progress has been made regarding the implementation of the national roads upgrade programme provided for in the national development plan. To date, 46 projects have been completed, resulting in a total of 327 km. of roadway, including 93 km. to motorway standard and 94 km. to dual carriageway standard. In addition, work is under way on 21 projects totalling 203 km., including 140 km. to motorway-dual carriageway standard. Another 12 projects, amounting to a total of 167 km. of roadway, are at tender stage.
The key NDP mid-term target to achieve 30% completion of the five major inter-urban routes by the end of 2003 was met, and work is under way on approximately another 12% of this work.
To labour the point, the Minister is incorrect in saying that the Dublin Bus fleet has been expanded. The reality is that Dublin Bus is behind target by 160 buses because it has only received 90 of the promised 250 buses. The last additional bus was received in 2000.
It is well known that almost every project is overrunning in terms of time and cost. Has the Minister any plans to ensure greater certainty? The point of a national development plan is to have certainty regarding timetables and budgets, yet the five-year envelope was changed to a six-year envelope and then to a ten-year envelope, and the nature of the projects under the development plan have been changed. Does the Minister not realise this is why no project is ever on time or within budget? As long as these circumstances obtain — I am not blaming the Minister specifically because I realise there is a long history of overruns — we will never have projects completed on time.
I hope we can maintain the current position, which is such that projects are being completed ahead of schedule. The Monasterevin bypass was completed 12 months ahead of schedule and the Cashel bypass was completed ten months ahead of schedule. I hope these will set the standard for all future projects.
That is always the case regarding building projects, but I am referring to projects that are being planned.
I know that. I will address the Dublin Bus issue in case I leave it go by default. Under the national development plan, Dublin Bus has purchased 460 new buses to date——
Replacement buses.
——of which 93 are additional.
Additional buses are needed to expand services. The population is expanding and we need expanded services.
I accept that.
That is what the Minister is saying.
If the population has not received a single additional bus, how on earth can we provide services?
Ninety-three of the buses are additional and 367——
The Minister will not allow competition to take place.
A short time ago, Deputy Olivia Mitchell stated in the House that competition was a solution, yet she is now saying all the resources should be given to Dublin Bus.
That is not what I am saying. I am saying the Minister should do one or the other.
The Deputy should allow the Minister to respond.
He should not dither endlessly.
I am not dithering.
The Deputy should allow the Minister to conclude.
It is certain that I will not dither. The point is that both the public sector and private sector comprise the solution to the public transport problem in Dublin. Both sectors accept this, as I know from meetings I have had with them. I want to realise the solution. When I know what each sector is prepared to commit to, I will be able to commit more buses to Dublin Bus.
The Deputy is incorrect to suggest that all the buses are replacements. There has been a great investment by the taxpayer resulting in the purchase of 460 new buses by Dublin Bus. I accept that 93 of these are additional. That represents a considerable upgrade to the fleet and increase therein. We will do more to meet the company's requirements.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
