Public Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Questions (1624)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

1624. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when current contracts for routes that Dublin Bus operates will be coming to an end; if he is satisfied that commuters and regional areas in the commuter belt and greater Dublin area will benefit as a result of the tendering out of particular routes and public service obligation routes when the current Dublin Bus contract expires; his views on whether current monopoly of contracts held by Dublin Bus at present is good for public transport users; if the next tendering phase will result in a transparent decision making process; the ramifications for particular routes (details supplied) in Dublin as a result of the competition in public transport in the bus market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37337/13]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The objective of Government is to ensure a system of public transport throughout the country that is as efficient and as widespread as possible. In relation to the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts for the bus market, this falls under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).  The NTA is currently considering how best publicly subvented bus services will be provided in the future. The direct award contracts for the provision of PSO bus market services held by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann expire late next year.  The awarding of the licenses for the services thereafter is a matter for the NTA, and not for Government, but I have kept the Cabinet updated on the process.  

Where the NTA proposes to enter into a further direct award contract or contracts for bus services it is obliged to carry out a statutory consultation under section 52 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008.  Under the legislation, if the NTA proposes to enter into direct award contracts, the relevant section states that  “it may only do so where it is satisfied that the continued adequacy of the public bus passenger services to which the contracts relate can only be guaranteed in the general economic interest by entering into such direct award contracts".  If it is not so satisfied, it must provide for some level of competitive tendering.  As explained above, this is not a decision for the Government or for me. 

The NTA is conducting its work in accordance with the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and statutory consultations in relation to the matter commenced on 11th September and will conclude on 11th October. The NTA expects to announce its decision on how it intends to proceed before the end of the year.

It should be noted that it will be open to Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann to tender for any routes or bundles of routes that are tendered. The contract will go to the best competent tenderer who can provide the best service for the least subsidy. I should be disappointed if the outcome of tendering is anything other than an improvement in services or no reduction in service at the very least.