Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Tuesday, 19 November 2019

Questions (531)

David Cullinane

Question:

531. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reduction in carbon emissions that would result by the percentage increases 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 100% in public transport use in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47186/19]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days.

I would note that continued economic growth and increased employment levels have resulted in demand increases across the public transport network, particularly in the Greater Dublin Area. Accordingly, I am maintaining a strong focus on expanding the carrying capacity of our public transport system over the coming years. That is how we can really help address the largest sustainability challenge in the transport sector – by shifting more journeys from private motoring towards suitable alternatives in public transport and active travel.

To this end, under the National Development Plan (NDP) €8.6 billion has been earmarked for investment in public and sustainable transport over the next 10 years. Proposed projects include MetroLink, BusConnects and the DART Expansion Programme. This substantial investment will transform our future public transport network and enable more people to choose sustainable options as their preferred mode of transport.

In the more immediate term, we are also making significant progress. We are increasing the size of the Public Service Obligation bus fleet and improving service provision. On the Luas network, the first of the extensions to the Luas Green Line fleet has entered service with the remaining 25 extensions entering service on a rolling basis and 8 additional trams have also been ordered as part of the Luas Green Line Capacity Enhancement Project. In relation to rail, there have been improvements to on and off peak-time services, with the Government recently approving the purchase of 41 additional InterCity Railcars. A 10-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric train units is being established which will massively expand the fleet.

Collectively these measures will increase public transport capacity to help meet the increased demand across the network as well as playing an important role in reducing transport emissions by providing viable alternatives to private car travel.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A

The following table represents estimated CO2 emission savings per annum which could be achieved by increasing passenger kilometres travelled on public transport and offsetting the equivalent passenger kilometres from private cars under each of the five scenarios requested by the Deputy (5%, 10%, 25%, 50% and 100% increases in passenger kilometres).

The following assumptions were made for all scenarios: a flat increase in public transport passenger kilometres and a countervailing decrease in private car passenger kilometres; overall carbon efficiency remains static; increased public transport usage is matched by increased capacity; carbon emissions per passenger kilometre remains constant. Estimates of passenger kilometres are based on survey data and operator data on the number of journeys and fuel use.

-	Percentage Increase in Public Transport	Percentage Increase in Public Transport	Percentage Increase in Public Transport	Percentage Increase in Public Transport	Percentage Increase in Public Transport
Mode	5%	10%	25%	50%	100%
Luas (tCO2)	577.8	1,155.7	2,889.21	5,778.4	11,556.8
Dublin Bus (tCO2)	2,494.9	4,989.9	12,474.6	24,949.2	49,898.5
Bus Éireann (tCO2)*	833.5	1,667.0	4,167.4	8,334.7	16,669.5
Irish Rail - Intercity (tCO2)	4,352.0	8,703.9	21,759.9	43,519.7	87,039.4
Irish Rail - Commuter (tCO2)	609.9	1,219.8	3,049.6	6,099.2	12,198.4
Irish Rail - DART (tCO2)	684.3	1,368.7	3,421.7	6,843.4	13,686.9
Total (tCO2)	9,552.5	19,105.0	47,762.4	95,524.8	191,049.5

* Bus Éireann emission savings are extrapolated from city town, coach and school services.

Continued growth and increased employment levels have resulted in demand increased across the public transport network, particularly in the Greater Dublin Area. Accordingly, I am maintaining a strong focus on expanding the carrying capacity of our public transport system over the coming years. That is how we can really help address the largest sustainability challenge in the transport sector – by shifting more journeys from private motoring towards suitable alternatives in public transport and active travel.

To this end, under the National Development Plan (NDP) €8.6 billion has been earmarked for investment in public and sustainable transport over the next 10 years. Proposed projects include MetroLink, BusConnects and the DART Expansion Programme. The substantial investment will transform our future public transport network and enable more people to choose sustainable options as their preferred mode of transport.

In the more immediate term, we are also making significant progress. We are increasing the size of the Public Service Obligation bus fleet and improving service provision. On the Luas network, the first of the extensions to the Luas Green Line has entered service with the remaining 25 extensions entering service on a rolling basis and 8 additional trams have also been ordered as part the Luas Green Line Capacity Enhancement Project. In relation to rail, there have been improvements to on and off peak-time services, with the Government recently approving the purchase of 41 additional InterCity Railcars. A 10-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric train units is being established which will massively expand the fleet.