Robert Troy
Question:257. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the percentage of routes out to tender. [30658/17]
View answerThursday, 29 June 2017
Questions (257)
Written answers
As the Deputy is aware, it is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and EU Regulation 1370/2007, to determine the appropriate mix of directly awarded and competitively tendered PSO services.
In line with its statutory functions, the NTA is currently managing three procurement competitions in relation to approximately 10% of current PSO routes operated by Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann. These competitions are known as Dublin Metropolitan (currently Bus Átha Cliath), Dublin Commuter and Waterford (both currently Bus Éireann). I understand the NTA expects to announce preferred bidder status in respect of all three competitions over the summer and early autumn.
As I stated at the outset, decisions relating to the manner in which PSO services are awarded are a statutory function of the NTA under both Irish and EU legislation. I believe that the tendering processes underway should allow us to capture potential benefits as regards value for money in terms of the use of taxpayers' money in securing the provision of public services and I look forward to the NTA's successful progression of all three current competitions.