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Public Transport.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004

Tuesday, 2 November 2004

Questions (292)

Jack Wall

Question:

361 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the changes by Bus Éireann in regard to collection points that are causing towns and villages (details supplied) in County Kildare to be isolated with respect to bus services; the plans his Department has to address such problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27186/04]

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Written answers

Changes in Bus Éireann services are an operational matter for the company. However, since 10 January 2001, Bus Éireann is required to notify my Department of proposed new services or proposed changes to existing services at least four weeks prior to their introduction. The sole purpose of this notification procedure is to ensure a level playing field between public and private operators from a market regulatory perspective. In considering there notifications my Department makes no judgment on the operational merits of the proposed service changes.

Where a proposal conflicts with a prior application from a private operator to licence a service under the Road Transport Act 1932, Bus Éireann, when notified by my Department, is required to defer the introduction of the proposed service changes until the prior licence application from the private operator concerned is decided. Where there are no conflicts, once the notification has been processed, Bus Éireann is advised that the Department has noted their proposed service change and the company is free to proceed.

On 9 July 2004, Bus Éireann notified my Department of proposed changes to the Number 131 Kilkenny to Dublin service. My Department had no conflicting licence applications for services on the route on hand and proceeded, therefore, to note the proposed changes on 28 July 2004. The 08.15 Kilkenny-Dublin weekday service formerly served Ballytore Cross and Moone, which are located off the main road, and both locations were designated as request stops.

Bus Éireann has advised my Department that the service to these locations was curtailed for operational reasons and the service now operates between Kilcullen and Dublin only. However, following further inquiries to Bus Éireann, the company has indicated that, taking into account safety and suitability considerations, it may be feasible to provide a request stop on the main road on specific services that would facilitate the residents of Moone and Ballytore. I have arranged for the contact details of the relevant official in Bus Éireann to be forwarded to the Deputy.

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