The Road Transport Act, 1932 provides the statutory basis for regulating the bus market in Ireland. This Act is totally outdated and is in need of reform. It is a commitment of this Government to replace the Act with a more modern regulatory framework which achieves a more open, effective and competitive regime and discussions are ongoing with CIE in that regard and it is intended to engage with the CIE unions and the social partners in the near future. Until such time as the necessary reform is achieved, my Department is bound by the provisions of the Act.
My Department currently has on hand 206 applications for new road passenger licences or amendments to existing licences. Applications under the 1932 Act are generally dealt with on a first come, first served basis. However, pressing or exceptional circumstances can be taken into account in determining the order in which applications are dealt with.
My Department regularly reviews ways to improve customer service to its clients particularly in the bus licensing area. In 2004, the bus licensing division put in place procedures to standardize the date of renewal of annual licenses. As a result of this process operators can now renew all their annual licenses on one of two dates in the year rather than having to apply for renewal of licenses at numerous times throughout the year. This initiative should facilitate operators as well as allowing the Department to use resources more efficiently.
Other measures that are in place include preference being given to all time bound applications and amendments received. These for example would typically include school or college services. In addition, the Department is engaged in a project to upgrade IT systems in the bus licensing area to increase efficiency and the speed with which applications are processed.
It is hoped that the combined effect of these measures will be a significantly improved customer service to both the State bus companies and private operators.