Seán Haughey
Question:224 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Transport if his policies in relation to public transport will result in a lack of co-ordination and integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18535/04]
View answerTuesday, 22 June 2004
Questions (224)
Written answers
An Agreed Programme for Government contains a commitment to implement an integrated transport policy designed as far as possible to overcome existing bottlenecks and congestion and to provide alternative choice by alternative modes of transport. Significant progress is being made in delivering a sustainable, safe, appropriately regulated and integrated transport system.
This is being achieved through delivering major programmes of investment to increase the capacity of our public transport system, adoption of measures to reform the sector to achieve greater efficiency and value for money and measures to integrate all of these activities.
Under the national development plan, the capacity of our mainline and suburban rail system has been significantly expanded, the capacity of the bus fleets of Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus has been renewed and expanded significantly, the Luas system will become operational next week, and increased priority is being offered to buses through an expanded quality bus corridor network in Dublin and in other urban areas. Greater facility for interchanging between modes of public transport will be possible with the coming into service of Luas which connects Connolly Station, Busarus and Heuston Station while smart cards are being introduced to facilitate integrated ticketing.
These developments, together with my proposals to reform public transport over the coming period involving the establishment of an independent regulatory process, will I believe introduce a more integrated and efficient public transport system than we have seen previously, with greater travel options and choice available to the consumer. My proposals to establish an independent regulator for public transport will ensure continued co-ordination and integration in public transport.