Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 February 2015
137. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the plans for the Swiftway rapid bus services; and if he will make a commitment to keep the service under the operation of Dublin Bus. [4341/15]
View answerThe National Transport Authority's Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 has proposed three Swiftway BRT schemes, Blanchardstown to UCD, Clongriffin to Tallaght and Swords/Airport to City Centre. The NTA have held two non-statutory public consultations regarding the Swiftway BRT, one focused on introducing BRT as a new public transport mode for Dublin and the second related to the preferred route for the Swords/Airport to City Centre route.
The NTA has been progressing some of the technical arrangements for the Swords BRT route and will submit a preliminary Business Case in February. In relation to the Blanchardstown to UCD proposal work is ongoing on the identified route corridor with a view to producing a Final Route Option Report later this year. Work on the Clongriffin to Tallaght BRT is at an earlier stage but it is hoped to have the Route Option Report finalised next year.
No decision will be taken on the Swords/Airport BRT proposal pending the completion of the Fingal/North Dublin Study which will advise on the best rail project to address the long term needs of the Swords/Airport corridor. I expect to receive this report at the end of March.
It is accepted that BRT will not, on its own, replace rail-based solutions where a higher capacity solution is required in the long-term, such as on the Swords/Airport corridor.
I will carefully consider the results of the various reports having regard to the costs and benefits of each project, affordability and availability of funding including from non exchequer sources. My aim is to recommend the project that gives best value for money over an appropriate time period.
With regard to the operation of any BRT service, the NTA has entered into a new contract with Dublin Bus for the period up to December 2019. They have advised that Dublin Bus will undertake the operation of any of the three proposed BRT services that become operational during the period of this public service contract.
