Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2004
58 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to comments by a person (details supplied) that in order for the Luas to be successful it must be fully integrated with rail and bus services and that should bus services be deregulated this will cause problems for integrated ticketing in view of the fact that companies will set their own fares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15910/04]
View answerI set out my policy proposals for public transport reform in statements to the public transport partnership forum in November 2002 and the Oireachtas Committee on Transport in June 2003. As I have stated previously, it is now my intention to establish an independent procurement and regulatory body for public transport which will operate on a national basis. This body will be responsible for procuring, promoting and regulating public transport.
In carrying out its functions it will be subject to certain overriding objectives which will include the development of an integrated public transport system. This will include the integration of Luas, train and bus services and also ensuring that all operators are part of an integrated ticketing scheme. The establishment of this independent body will strengthen integration by replacing the current ad hoc and voluntary arrangements for service and ticket integration with a statutory basis.
With regard to current arrangements for the integration of Luas with existing services, the Railway Procurement Agency is working with the CIÉ group companies and with private operators to achieve integration of light rail with other modes of transport. With regard to integrated ticketing, the Railway Procurement Agency has statutory responsibility for the delivery of a smart card based integrated ticketing system for use in a multi-modal, multi-operator environment. The scheme is being developed in consultation with public transport operators and the public. Where services are procured under a public service obligation by the proposed independent body, operators will not be free to set their own fares. Fares will be regulated by the body as part of the contractual arrangements for the delivery of services.
