Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 December 2016
46. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to commission a study on the possibilities for commuter rail development in the Galway region in order to reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38660/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Rail Review has recently been published and a public consultation on the report has been launched. The purpose of the consultation exercise is to open up a public discussion on the current and future role of rail in Ireland as well as the funding of the rail network and services. The public consultation process is open until 18th January and no decisions will be taken on the future of the rail network or rail services until the public consultation process has concluded and been evaluated.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) collaborated closely with Galway City Council and Galway County Council on the development of the Galway Transport Strategy which was adopted earlier this year. I am advised that the Strategy indicates that demand would be insufficient to warrant a high-capacity rail-based system in Galway. Rail services would have to operate at low frequencies in order to meet demand and this would be less attractive to passengers than a higher frequency bus-based service. Buses provide greater flexibility within transport systems, catering for high volumes of demand in the city centre as well as diverging out to less-dense suburban areas.
Funding is provided by my Department for the provision of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure in the Regional Cities, including Galway, in order to encourage people to use public transport or more active travel modes including cycling and walking in order to reduce congestion and tackle emissions from transport. The Regional Cities Programme funds the development of bus lanes, green routes, other bus priority measures and safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists. Overall funding for this programme in 2016 is €13.5m.
My Department is strongly committed to both the reduction of traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. The National Mitigation Plan is currently being developed in line with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 and my Department is actively contributing to its development.
