Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
673 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Transport if he will liaise with Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus and other relevant private parties to provide a bus service from the various neighbourhood centres to service Clondalkin train station, in view of the number of quality bus corridors nearing completion in the Clondalkin area. [12154/04]
View answer674 Mr. Curran asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the fact that the Luas is nearing completion and the nearest Luas stop to Clondalkin will be the Red Cow Depot which is some considerable distance from Clondalkin, if he will liaise with Dublin Bus and other private operators who may be interested, to organise a local bus service from Clondalkin neighbourhood centres to the Luas Red Cow depot. [12155/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 673 and 674 together.
Integration between transport modes plays an integral part in providing a cohesive and efficient public transport network and I would encourage all operators to co-operate in providing linkages wherever practicable. However, the decision to provide a bus service and the level of that service is a day-to-day matter for the operators themselves and my Department has no function in deciding the services to be introduced. I am aware that Dublin Bus and the Railway Procurement Agency have held discussions regarding the linking of relevant bus services with Luas.
Since 10 January 2001 Dublin Bus is required to notify my Department at least four weeks in advance of the introduction of a proposed service or of any alterations to existing services. Similarly, under the Road Transport Act 1932, a private operator must submit an application to my Department for a route licence to operate services on a specified route. To date no formal applications from private operators or notifications from Dublin Bus have been received for the services outlined in the Deputy's question. However, my Department is committed to dealing, as a matter of urgency, with all applications or notifications for bus services which are related to QBC development or Luas.
