Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2013
586. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the bike scheme will not be extended to Waterford city, the largest urban area in the south east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29039/13]
View answer587. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Waterford city has been excluded from going forward to the tendering process for a bike scheme to be established in the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29040/13]
View answer588. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Waterford city will be reconsidered for the bike scheme should a viable proposal be made in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29041/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 586 to 588, inclusive, together.
The Government is committed to examining the feasibility of public bike schemes in the regional cities, as set out in the Programme for Government. I have tasked the National Transport Authority (NTA) with investigating the potential for extending bike sharing schemes within Dublin and to the regional cities.
The NTA has carried out a great deal of analysis to date which I understand indicates that of the four regional cities, Waterford would be the most expensive to operate, on a per bike basis. This is because the number of bikes would be fewer and the number of subscribers to the scheme will be less, while a lot of the operational costs such as a bike depot and bike distribution resources remain the same as the larger cities.
In light of the funding issues that this may raise in the operational phase, with the local authority potentially funding any shortfall, the NTA issued a notice on eTenders on 11th June 2013 seeking expressions of interest from potential tenderers for the supply, operate and maintain contract for three cities – Cork, Galway and Limerick – and to also seek pricing options to allow the addition of other areas, such as Waterford. A final decision on which cities or towns to include in initial phases will only be made following selection of a preferred supplier, when final prices from the tender process are known.
