Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
174. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the stricter enforcement measures that can be taken to protect public transport staff during the latest Covid-19 surge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1291/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The NTA has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. Continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and it has been designated among the essential services that have carried on during the Covid crisis. I would like to thank both public and commercial operators and their staff for providing this vital service in such challenging times.
The Government's "Living with Covid" Plan sets out capacity guidance for public transport at each of the 5 risk levels identified in the Plan. At the current Levels 5, public transport operators are restricted to using only 25% of the passenger-carrying capacity on their vehicles. Importantly, the Plan's guidance on working from home where possible and on the closure of social, leisure and other facilities has reduced the demand for public transport well below normal levels. There is continued strong messaging that public transport capacity remains restricted and, therefore, should only be used for essential travel, with only those who have to travel at peak times doing so. People are being encouraged to walk or cycle where practical. The advice is aimed at ensuring public transport is safeguarded for those who need it most and in particular frontline workers.
A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public health advice, to ensure the continued operation of services during the pandemic, and to help protect the safety of passengers and staff, including enhanced cleaning regimes, the wearing of face coverings and social distancing measures across the network. My Department is engaging directly with the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to these measures and the NTA is coordinating the response of public transport operators.
Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
