Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1373. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected number of buses to be added to the Dublin Bus fleet for each of the next five years to meet the growing public transport demand in Dublin in addition to 20 extra buses to add to the fleet of Dublin Bus in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20294/17]
View answerThe National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035 provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the region over the next two decades. The measures proposed are linked to an analysis of current and projected levels of travel demand across the region.
Projects already completed or at any advanced level over the period 2015-2018 including Luas Cross City, the recently completed Phoenix Park Tunnel, additional bus fleet and bus lane infrastructure, small scale interventions on the M50 and other measures will go some way to addressing growing travel demand in the GDA. The NTA's GDA Strategy proposes a number of large scale projects including the DART Expansion Programme, new Metro North, and other light rail projects which will be delivered over the medium term and will significantly improve capacity in the public transport network in the GDA.
However, in the short to medium term, it will be necessary to radically improve the bus system to deliver a step change in performance across the GDA in order to tackle congestion and increasing levels of demand. Approximately €800 million is allocated over the lifetime of the Government's Capital Plan 2016–2021 for bus measures. This includes fleet replacement and enlargement programmes for both the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann PSO fleets; and for bus network infrastructure development in the GDA and Regional Cities and bus rapid transit programmes in the GDA. In order to deliver the step change in performance that is required in the GDA, further funding will be needed and I am making the case for increased investment as part of the Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan that is currently under way.
In 2017, funding has been provided to the NTA to facilitate the purchase of 110 new buses for the Dublin Region. The exact numbers to be added to the fleet in each of the next 4-5 years will be determined when the capital review is completed and the revised capital allocation for public transport for the remaining period of the capital plan is clear.
