Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:28. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for reviewing public transport regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15252/13]
View answerWednesday, 27 March 2013
Questions (28)
Written answers
The Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 establishes the National Transport Authority (NTA), incorporating responsibility for transport investment and service delivery in the greater Dublin area, formerly under the remit of the Dublin Transport Authority, with additional nation-wide responsibilties for certain transport services. Specifically the NTA has national responsibility in the areas of passenger bus route licensing, bus and rail services provided under public service contract and the regulation of taxi services. In November, 2010 the NTA published guidelines for the licensing of public bus services which set out the basis for a reformed licensing system for commercial bus passenger services in the State. I also refer the Deputy to my reply to a priority question answered earlier. This sets out the position in relation to the Public Service Contracts awarded by the NTA for the provison of bus services.
The regulation of rail services is predominantly based on legislation of the European Union. In January this year, the European Commission adopted a further set of proposals for reform of rail regulation - the "Fourth Rail Package"- which envisages, among other things, the liberalisation of domestic rail passenger services and mandatory tendering for public service contracts for rail passenger services from 2019. These proposals are being considered by my Department. Finally, with regard to small public service vehicle services, the regulatory framework was reviewed by the Taxi Regulation Review Group, the report of which was published in January last year. The recommendations are being followed up, partly through initiatives being taken by the NTA within the existing legislative framework and through the proposed reform of that framework as provided for in the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 which is before the Seanad.